NDNorth Dakota rankings

Snowiest towns in North Dakota

Ranked by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station. 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
T1 Minot47,791 people 52 in 18 Minot Exp Stn, ND
T1 Minot AFB Minot AFB4,878 people 52 in 18 Minot Exp Stn, ND
T1 TatmanWard County · 2,730 people 52 in 18 Minot Exp Stn, ND
T4 Fargo Fargo131,627 people 51 in 14 Fargo Hector Intl Airport, ND
T4 West Fargo West Fargo40,094 people 51 in 14 Fargo Hector Intl Airport, ND
T4 Horace Horace4,588 people 51 in 14 Fargo Hector Intl Airport, ND
T7 Bismarck Bismarck75,556 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T7 Mandan Mandan24,522 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T7 Lincoln Lincoln4,381 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T7 Hay CreekBurleigh County · 4,348 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T7 Apple CreekBurleigh County · 3,490 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
T7 GibbsBurleigh County · 2,836 people 51 in 14 Bismarck, ND
13 Map of Watford City Watford City6,039 people 50 in 18 Watford City, ND
14 Wahpeton Wahpeton8,010 people 50 in 15 Rothsay, MN
15 Grand Forks Grand Forks59,042 people 49 in 15 Grand Forks Univ (nws), ND
16 Williston Williston28,056 people 48 in 14 Williston Sloulin Intl Airport, ND
17 Jamestown Jamestown15,787 people 46 in 17 Jamestown State Hosp, ND
18 Map of Casselton Casselton2,953 people 37 in 13 Casselton Agronomy Farm, ND
19 Dickinson Dickinson25,357 people 35 in 13 Taylor 7 Nnw, ND
20 New Town New Town2,721 people 35 in 13 Keene 3s, ND
21 Beulah Beulah3,040 people 33 in 15 Zap, ND

How this ranking works

We rank every town by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station. Towns that get less than an inch a year aren’t ranked. The town with the highest 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