Climate Comfort Score
37/100
Below Average
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
Bismarck, ND Climate
Temperature, precipitation, and comfort score from NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals →
30-year climate normals from 3 weather stations (1991-2020).
Bismarck, North Dakota has an average annual temperature of 43°F and a climate comfort score of 37/100 (Below Average). Annual precipitation totals 19.1", including 50.5" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).
Avg Temperature
43°F (6°C)
Avg High
55°F
Avg Low
31°F
Annual Precip
19.1"
Annual Snow
50.5"
Comfort Score
37/100
Below Average
Avg Annual Temperature
43°F
30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)
Annual Precipitation
19.1"
Plus 50.5" of snow
Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Bismarck) 37.0%
National median (≈55)
PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Below Average for the Bismarck area.
Warming context for Bismarck
MethodologyHow the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Bismarck captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.
- United States land mean (NOAA NCEI) +0.11 °C/decade
- Global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
- Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Monthly Temperatures
Average daily high and low temperatures by month
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean | Precip | Snow | Freeze Days | 90°F+ Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 2°F (-16°C) | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5" | 8.9" | 30.9 | 0.0 |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 7°F (-14°C) | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.5" | 7.5" | 27.6 | 0.0 |
| March | 41°F (5°C) | 19°F (-7°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8" | 8.5" | 28.3 | 0.0 |
| April | 56°F (13°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3" | 4.6" | 17.5 | 0.1 |
| May | 68°F (20°C) | 42°F (6°C) | 55°F (13°C) | 2.5" | 0.4" | 4.4 | 0.5 |
| June | 78°F (26°C) | 53°F (12°C) | 65°F (19°C) | 3.4" | 0.0" | 0.1 | 2.5 |
| July | 85°F (29°C) | 58°F (14°C) | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 8.0 |
| August | 84°F (29°C) | 56°F (13°C) | 70°F (21°C) | 2.5" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 7.4 |
| September | 73°F (23°C) | 46°F (8°C) | 60°F (15°C) | 1.7" | 0.0" | 1.6 | 1.9 |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 33°F (0°C) | 45°F (7°C) | 1.4" | 2.5" | 15.3 | 0.1 |
| November | 41°F (5°C) | 19°F (-7°C) | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.7" | 8.0" | 27.7 | 0.0 |
| December | 28°F (-2°C) | 8°F (-13°C) | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.6" | 10.1" | 30.9 | 0.0 |
Monthly Precipitation
Average monthly rainfall and snowfall
January 0.5"
Snow: 8.9"
7.8 days with precipitation
February 0.5"
Snow: 7.5"
7.9 days with precipitation
March 0.8"
Snow: 8.5"
7.5 days with precipitation
April 1.3"
Snow: 4.6"
8.1 days with precipitation
May 2.5"
Snow: 0.4"
10.4 days with precipitation
June 3.4"
11.6 days with precipitation
July 3.1"
9.7 days with precipitation
August 2.5"
8.0 days with precipitation
September 1.7"
7.3 days with precipitation
October 1.4"
Snow: 2.5"
7.2 days with precipitation
November 0.7"
Snow: 8.0"
6.6 days with precipitation
December 0.6"
Snow: 10.1"
7.7 days with precipitation
Frost Dates & Growing Season
First Fall Freeze
September 27
50% probability date
Last Spring Freeze
May 14
50% probability date
Heating & Cooling Degree Days
Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling
Heating Degree Days
8,471
Higher = more heating needed
Cooling Degree Days
536
Higher = more cooling needed
Warmest Month
July
Coldest Month
January
Humidity & Wind
Monthly averages from hourly observations
| Month | Humidity | Wind (mph) | Clear Sky % | Overcast % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 76% | 8.8 | 48% | 35% |
| February | 74% | 9.5 | 45% | 38% |
| March | 64% | 10.8 | 50% | 31% |
| April | 57% | 10.7 | 48% | 29% |
| May | 63% | 9.7 | 48% | 25% |
| June | 65% | 9.1 | 58% | 14% |
| July | 63% | 8.1 | 65% | 9% |
| August | 63% | 8.7 | 68% | 12% |
| September | 63% | 9.3 | 62% | 20% |
| October | 68% | 9.6 | 52% | 32% |
| November | 75% | 9.0 | 48% | 37% |
| December | 77% | 8.7 | 46% | 38% |
Related Data
PlainEnviro
EPA environmental data — pollution, water quality, and environmental health by location
PlainCarbon
Carbon emissions data — greenhouse gas reporting and facility-level CO2 data
PlainHazard
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PlainAirData
EPA air quality data — AQI readings, pollutant levels, and air quality trends
Climate Guides
Climate Insight: Bismarck, ND
The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Bismarck, North Dakota as a location with an annual average temperature of 43°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 55°F to a mean daily low of 31°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from 3 weather stations, smooth out year-to-year variability and give a baseline expectation for typical conditions in any given month.
Precipitation patterns matter as much as temperature for anyone planning to live, garden, or travel here. Bismarck receives roughly 19.1 inches of precipitation each year, with 50.5 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near May 14 and the first fall freeze near September 27. For energy use, 8,471 heating degree days and 536 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.
On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Bismarck scores 37/100 (Below Average), a blended measure that weighs temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, and extreme-weather frequency against one another. Use the monthly tables above to plan around specific windows — shoulder seasons for mild highs and lows, peak summer for July-driven heat, or deep winter for January-driven cold. All figures here are thirty-year averages: any single year may run warmer, wetter, drier, or cooler than the normal, so treat them as planning guidance rather than forecasts.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average temperature in Bismarck, ND? ▼
The average annual temperature in Bismarck, North Dakota is 43°F. The warmest month averages 85°F (29°C) and the coldest averages 2°F (-16°C).
How much rain does Bismarck get? ▼
Bismarck receives 19.1 inches of precipitation annually, including 50.5 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Bismarck? ▼
Bismarck has a climate comfort score of 37/100 (Below Average). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Bismarck? ▼
Growing season data is not available for Bismarck.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Bismarck? ▼
Bismarck has 8,471 heating degree days and 536 cooling degree days annually. Higher heating degree days indicate greater winter energy demand, while higher cooling degree days indicate greater summer cooling needs.
Where does this Bismarck climate data come from? ▼
All climate data comes from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1, covering the 30-year period from 1991 to 2020. Data is collected from 3 weather stations. These 30-year averages are the standard reference for typical weather conditions.
Data Sources
Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). Station: USW00024011. For informational purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial
