Westhope has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 80°, a January night drops to -3°, and about 49 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Westhope at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Westhope’s climate
Read from where Westhope sits among North Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
49 inches of snow, 18 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and February the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 95 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 133 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 14 and the first by September 25.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
What a year in Westhope feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Westhope’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
133 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 14 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 25.
About 49" a winter over 18 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 132 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 96% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 12 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 80°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Westhope averaged 1.4° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.8°).
A bigger shift than in 62% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Westhope compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in North Dakota.
Westhope weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16° | -3° | 0.6" | 8.7" | 7 | 31 | -6° – 25° |
| February | 21° | 2° | 0.5" | 6.6" | 6 | 28 | -7° – 25° |
| March | 34° | 15° | 0.8" | 7.0" | 7 | 24 | 12° – 38° |
| April | 53° | 29° | 1.1" | 4.4" | 6 | 5 | 28° – 49° |
| May | 66° | 41° | 2.4" | 1.4" | 10 | 0 | 48° – 60° |
| June | 75° | 52° | 3.8" | 0 | 13 | 0 | 59° – 68° |
| July | 80° | 56° | 2.6" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 61° – 73° |
| August | 81° | 53° | 2.1" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 60° – 72° |
| September | 70° | 44° | 1.7" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 52° – 64° |
| October | 53° | 31° | 1.4" | 2.7" | 7 | 2 | 33° – 47° |
| November | 35° | 17° | 0.7" | 8.0" | 7 | 14 | 13° – 38° |
| December | 21° | 3° | 0.7" | 10.6" | 8 | 28 | -1° – 24° |
| Year | 50° | 28° | 18.2" | 49.4" | 95 | 132 |
Heating and cooling a home in Westhope
96% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from -7° to 25°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Westhope’s climate
What is the coldest month in Westhope?
January, with a typical high of 16° and a low of -3°.
What is the hottest month in Westhope?
August, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 53°. About 12 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Westhope get?
About 49 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Westhope?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 25, and the last spring frost by May 14.
What is the rainiest month in Westhope?
June, with 3.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 18 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Westhope.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Westhope itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Upham 3 N, ND (24 mi, snow) and Westhope, ND (1 mi, frost, heat and degree days). Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.