NDNorth Dakota rankings

Towns with the least snow in North Dakota

Ranked by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station, among towns that get at least an inch a year. Towns that share a station share its figure and its rank (T = tied). 21 towns with 2,500+ residents that get at least an inch of snow a year.

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

#TownSnow a yearDays with 1"+ of snowWeather station
1 Beulah Beulah3,040 people 33 in 15 Zap, ND
2 New Town New Town2,721 people 35 in 13 Keene 3s, ND
3 Dickinson Dickinson25,357 people 35 in 13 Taylor 7 Nnw, ND
4 Map of Casselton Casselton2,953 people 37 in 13 Casselton Agronomy Farm, ND
5 Jamestown Jamestown15,787 people 46 in 17 Jamestown State Hosp, ND
6 Williston Williston28,056 people 48 in 14 Williston Sloulin Intl Airport, ND
7 Grand Forks Grand Forks59,042 people 49 in 15 Grand Forks Univ (nws), ND
8 Wahpeton Wahpeton8,010 people 50 in 15 Rothsay, MN
9 Map of Watford City Watford City6,039 people 50 in 18 Watford City, ND
T10 Bismarck Bismarck75,556 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T10 Mandan Mandan24,522 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T10 Lincoln Lincoln4,381 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T10 Hay CreekBurleigh County · 4,348 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T10 Apple CreekBurleigh County · 3,490 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T10 GibbsBurleigh County · 2,836 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T16 Fargo Fargo131,627 people 51 in 14 Fargo Hector Intl Airport, ND
T16 West Fargo West Fargo40,094 people 51 in 14 Fargo Hector Intl Airport, ND
T16 Horace Horace4,588 people 51 in 14 Fargo Hector Intl Airport, ND
T19 Minot47,791 people 52 in 18 Minot Exp Stn, ND
T19 Minot AFB Minot AFB4,878 people 52 in 18 Minot Exp Stn, ND
T19 TatmanWard County · 2,730 people 52 in 18 Minot Exp Stn, ND

How this ranking works

We rank every town by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station, among towns that get at least an inch a year. The town with the lowest figure ranks #1. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast, and each town’s Climate page shows its whole year month by month.

Snow and frost are measured at weather stations, and each town uses the nearest NOAA station with a matching climate (within 25 miles, with temperatures that agree with the town’s own). Towns near the same station share its figure, so they tie.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Climate: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

Same ranking in other states