If there's anything we're fascinated by here at Only In Your State, it's winter (and sometimes even autumn!) predictions. Sure, there's no one way to determine exactly what the weather will do in any given season (other than assuming based on the typical climate), but it's fun to try! Enter the old-school way of doing it: the Farmer's Almanac. Sure, it's old-school, but hey - it's been around for a while for a reason, right?

Winter in North Dakota is typically pretty brutal, but sometimes we're thrown for a loop - during the winter of 2022-2023, for example, several parts of North Dakota received an utterly absurd amount of snowfall. This season, however, you might just be surprised by the winter predictions for North Dakota. That is, as long as you're surprised that (almost thankfully) this winter is expected to be much milder.

I never thought I'd say, "Oh, thank goodness," about a North Dakota winter being dry, but after the ludicrous amount of snow we got last year, I'm good. This is fine. So, what exactly is an "average" North Dakota winter?

First of all, it's typically pretty chilly, starting around November. It typically stays pretty dang cold (with the high rarely, if ever, reaching above freezing). January is usually the coldest month of the year and the biggest time of year for dangerous, icy conditions - though these can definitely occur at any point through the winter. The Almanac suggests there's a higher-than-usual chance of blizzards for this winter, though, so perhaps it might end up being above average, anyway. Typically, North Dakota has about 50 days a year when temperatures never exceed zero degrees Fahrenheit.

Needless to say, our winters can be pretty brutal... but we can handle it. There are plenty of wonderful things to do in North Dakota during the winter, despite the frigid temps. You might want to embark upon a winter day trip in North Dakota, or maybe you're daring enough to find a campground open year-round and rough it for a night or three. You can also meander around and appreciate the beauty of winter—it's all up to you.

Winter in North Dakota doesn't have to be miserable; there are many ways to enjoy it, especially if you're local. Some of my favorite North Dakota winter activities include attending festivals, exploring small towns that go all-out for the holiday season, indulging in tasty treats until the new year arrives, and SO much more. The list of things to do in North Dakota in the winter is seemingly endless, as long as you're creative and willing to experiment. Talk about an amazing season - it's much too delightful to stay indoors the whole time!

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For more information about the Farmer's Almanac and how it comes up with these forecasts (which are to be taken with a grain of salt, of course), be sure to check out the official Farmer's Almanac website. So, what do you think about these 2024 winter predictions for North Dakota? Let me know in the comments.