When does the extreme weather end? (Bismarck, Williston: living, airport, safest)
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There seems to be so much information here about the extreme winters of North Dakota. With that in mind perhaps a few questions could be answered concerning the weather and the possibilities of a split situation of living and working there in the differant seasons. Such as,
1. When does the extreme cold of winter really start?
2. When does it end?
3. When would it be advisable to actually be able to stay in a Tent?
4. Is it even plausible to consider coming for the late Spring, Summer and early Fall and then leave for the Winter?
5. Can anyone provide any info on a working arrangement as such?
Any and all constructive advice as well as mild criticism is appreciated, there seems to be alot of very knowledgeable posters here and I eagerly await their answers. Thanks in advance for the valuable advice that I am sure you will provide.
The extreme cold can come in Late Nov. or maybe not. As they are talking highs around 50 on Thanksgiving. But the week after we could see lows below 0.
It generally ends in mid to late April. BUT we can still have cold snaps and storms in April. May is generally the safest.
As far as coming and going in winter, we call them snowbirds, and they are usually retired. But maybe you can find work that way. I would guess for a temp agency. This is not my area of expertise.
Remember too that the weather can sometimes fluctuate wildly. You can get extreme cold that might last days or a week or so with temperatures well below zero at night and even during the day. You can get warmups that can last a couple of days and take the temps to 30-40 above. Then there's the constant threat of snow and occasional blizzards. Windy conditions can occur almost anytime and combined with subzero temperatures will push the wind chill factor to 30 or 40 below (on the new wind chill charts).
It's not just the ups and downs, but the length of time the winter lasts compared to other areas of the country that get winters. Just this morning, the temp in Williston at the airport (official recording station for NWS) got to -1. It's not even Thanksgiving yet.
In Williston, it's pretty much a guarantee that you will see actual temps below -20 a number of times during any random winter. If you get lucky it can get colder than -30. Do you feel lucky?
Remember too that the weather can sometimes fluctuate wildly. You can get extreme cold that might last days or a week or so with temperatures well below zero at night and even during the day. You can get warmups that can last a couple of days and take the temps to 30-40 above. Then there's the constant threat of snow and occasional blizzards. Windy conditions can occur almost anytime and combined with subzero temperatures will push the wind chill factor to 30 or 40 below (on the new wind chill charts).
It's not just the ups and downs, but the length of time the winter lasts compared to other areas of the country that get winters. Just this morning, the temp in Williston at the airport (official recording station for NWS) got to -1. It's not even Thanksgiving yet.
In Williston, it's pretty much a guarantee that you will see actual temps below -20 a number of times during any random winter. If you get lucky it can get colder than -30. Do you feel lucky?
Doesn't TR National Park hold the record for one the greatest temperature swings in 24 hours? I though it was something like 80 down to -20 in less than a day.
Doesn't TR National Park hold the record for one the greatest temperature swings in 24 hours? I though it was something like 80 down to -20 in less than a day.
I recall reading something about the greatest swing in a 24 hour period. Can't remember where it was though. It wouldn't surprise me if it was somewhere in North Dakota or somewhere on the great plains. Lacking a large body of water to mitigate swings in temperature gets you a continental climate that can cause rapid changes in temperature given the right atmospheric conditions.
I recall reading something about the greatest swing in a 24 hour period. Can't remember where it was though. It wouldn't surprise me if it was somewhere in North Dakota or somewhere on the great plains.
Right next door in West Dakota, er, I mean Montana:
The largest recorded temperature change over a 24-hour period occurred on January 15, 1972 in Loma, Montana, when the temperature rose from -54 to 49 °F (-47.8 to 9.4 °C).
Will need to await awhile this year it seems for the cold to sit in. Unsually mild again for another week or so. But yes, the Williston area can get quite cold at night down in the Missouri River valley as winds go callm and often the center of cold highs move overhead. -30 to -35F a couple times a winter isnt unusual. But also can have days near 32F in the winter as well....
We will see what this winter brings... from what I have read and looked at this winter will be more of a second half is worse than the first half type....
I believe the extreme weather ends around the middle of July and begins again around the end of July...LOL
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