Fargo

North Dakota Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in North Dakota, the United States of America in January.

Planning a trip to North Dakota, the United States of America this January? Here's what you need to know about the weather:

What to Expect in North Dakota in January

North Dakota, the United States of America is a region in the United States of America. January in North Dakota generally has very cold temperatures, with low precipitation. The month of January is in the winter season.

Temperatures

The average maximum temperatures are very cold and range from -8°C (18°F) in Grand Forks to -2°C (28°F) in Dickinson. Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -14°C (7°F) in Dickinson and -18°C (0°F) in Grand Forks. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Making it a great time for staying indoors and enjoying the warmth. Make sure you're prepared by packing the right winter outfits.

To explore the conditions in North Dakota, the United States of America in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snowfall in Williston with an average of 7.8 mm (0.3 in) to low snowfall in Fargo with 16 mm (0.6 in).

Average sunshine

Most places get a reasonable amount of sunshine. Take Fargo as an example - it receives around 141 hours of sunlight, offering a nice mix of sunny and partly cloudy days. Want to compare this with brighter destinations? Try our weather planner to explore your options.

Explore North Dakota by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in North Dakota — and find the best time to visit. (based on Fargo)

Best Places to Visit in North Dakota in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across North Dakota.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in North Dakota

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in North Dakota, the United States of America?

Temperature range in North Dakota (January)

Precipitation variation in North Dakota (January)

Fargo

In January Fargo generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -7°C (19°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -17°C (1°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-7°C (19°F)
-7°C (19°F)
Min temperature
-14°C (7°F)
-17°C (1°F)
-17°C (1°F)
Monthly sun hours
107 hours
141 hours
154 hours
Monthly snowfall
27 mm (1.1 in)
16 mm (0.6 in)
16 mm (0.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
10 days
8 days
8 days
Weather conditions

Bismarck

In January Bismarck generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -4°C (25°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -15°C (5°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-4°C (25°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-3°C (27°F)
Min temperature
-14°C (7°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-15°C (5°F)
Monthly sun hours
122 hours
149 hours
153 hours
Monthly snowfall
21 mm (0.8 in)
10 mm (0.4 in)
11 mm (0.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
7 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Grand Forks

In January Grand Forks generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -8°C (18°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -18°C (0°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-7°C (19°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-8°C (18°F)
Min temperature
-15°C (5°F)
-18°C (0°F)
-18°C (0°F)
Monthly snowfall
21 mm (0.8 in)
15 mm (0.6 in)
15 mm (0.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
8 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Minot

In January Minot generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -6°C (21°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -15°C (5°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-6°C (21°F)
-6°C (21°F)
Min temperature
-15°C (5°F)
-15°C (5°F)
-16°C (3°F)
Monthly snowfall
23 mm (0.9 in)
13 mm (0.5 in)
14 mm (0.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
7 days
7 days
Weather conditions

Dickinson

In January Dickinson generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -2°C (28°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -14°C (7°F) and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Min temperature
-14°C (7°F)
-14°C (7°F)
-14°C (7°F)
Monthly snowfall
16 mm (0.6 in)
8.4 mm (0.3 in)
11 mm (0.4 in)
Monthly rainy days
8 days
6 days
5 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in North Dakota, in the United States of America.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in North Dakota in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Fargo -7°C (19°F) -17°C (1°F) 16 mm (0.6 in)
Bismarck -4°C (25°F) -15°C (5°F) 10 mm (0.4 in)
Grand Forks -8°C (18°F) -18°C (0°F) 15 mm (0.6 in)
Minot -6°C (21°F) -15°C (5°F) 13 mm (0.5 in)
Dickinson -2°C (28°F) -14°C (7°F) 8.4 mm (0.3 in)
Williston -4°C (25°F) -15°C (5°F) 7.8 mm (0.3 in)

North Dakota weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in North Dakota, the United States of America in January?

North Dakota, the United States of America typically experiences poor weather in January, part of the winter season. Daytime highs in Fargo average around -7°C (19°F), and temperatures drop to about -17°C (1°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in North Dakota, the United States of America in January?

Fargo averages a daytime maximum of -7°C (19°F) in January, with overnight lows close to -17°C (1°F).

Does North Dakota, the United States of America get a lot of snow in January?

January is on the drier side in North Dakota, the United States of America. Fargo averages only about 16 mm (0.6 in), with most days staying dry.

Is January a Good Time to Visit North Dakota, the United States of America?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Fargo, January may not be the ideal time to visit North Dakota, the United States of America.

On average, the best time to visit North Dakota, the United States of America is in May, July, August and September with generally perfect weather in Fargo. In contrast, January, February, March, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in North Dakota.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to the United States of America? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in the United States of America.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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