Weather in Grand Forks

Find out the current weather in Grand Forks! This section presents up-to-date meteorological reports, forecasts, and visual charts to help you plan your day.

The climate in Grand Forks is characterised as continental, with distinct seasonal temperature fluctuations. Visitors to the city can expect significant differences between the cold, frosty winter and the warm, sometimes hot, summer. The transitional seasons – spring and autumn – are quite short but bring noticeable changes in the weather, preparing nature and residents for the shift in dominant temperatures.

Winters in Grand Forks (from December to February) are severe, with average monthly temperatures significantly below freezing, dropping to -11.6°C and sometimes lower. Summer (from June to August), on the other hand, is warm, with average temperatures around 20-22°C and maximum values reaching 26-28°C. Spring brings gradual warming, starting from a cool March and moving towards a moderately warm May. In autumn, the temperature also smoothly declines from a comfortable September to a cold November.

One of the notable features of the climate in Grand Forks is the relatively low level of precipitation throughout the year. Even in the "wettest" summer months, the amount of precipitation is small, amounting to just 2-3 mm, while the number of rainy days remains moderate. In winter, precipitation is even scarcer. This suggests that the weather here is generally quite dry, which is worth considering when planning your trip and choosing your wardrobe.

The climate in Grand Forks is characterised by pronounced seasons and a significant annual temperature range, extending from severe winter frosts around -16.8°C (average minimum in February) to summer heat with maximums around +28.1°C (average maximum in July). The coldest months are typically January and February, with an average temperature of about -11.6°C. The peak of warmth occurs in July, where the average temperature is +22.6°C, while June and August also offer many warm days.

Summer months in Grand Forks are a time of pleasant warmth, often turning into heat. In June, July, and August, average daily maximums range from +26.4°C to +28.1°C, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor activities. Nights bring refreshing coolness, with temperatures dropping on average to +15°C - +17°C. Diurnal temperature fluctuations in summer are quite noticeable: the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum is often 10-12 degrees, ensuring a comfortable sleep after a hot day.

Winter in Grand Forks is a true winter, with persistent frosts. From December to February, the thermometer consistently stays below freezing. Average daily maximums during this period usually vary from -7.3°C to -4.1°C, while average nightly minimums drop to values between -11.9°C and -16.8°C, creating truly frosty weather. The transitional seasons, spring and autumn, demonstrate a rapid change in temperature regimes and are also characterised by noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations, especially in spring, when the difference between day and night readings can be quite substantial.

Grand Forks sees a fairly even distribution of precipitation throughout the year, although some seasonal features can be highlighted. The highest amount of precipitation, while still moderate, occurs in late spring and summer, whereas the winter months are characterised by minimal volume.

The wettest month in terms of precipitation is June, when an average of 3 mm falls, with precipitation recorded on approximately 10 days. The driest months by volume (1 mm) are January, February, March, November, and December. Given the negative average monthly temperatures, precipitation in these cold months (from December to March and in November) falls predominantly as snow. For example, in January, with an average temperature of -11.6°C, there are about 5 days with precipitation, and in December – about 8 days.

In the transitional and warm seasons, the nature of precipitation changes. From April to October, precipitation falls mainly as rain. April, May, and June are the months with the highest frequency of precipitation – about 10 days in each, with the volume amounting to 2 to 3 mm. In July and August, it rains on average 9 days per month (2 mm of precipitation), and in September and October – 8-9 days (also 2 mm). Thus, although the total volume of precipitation in Grand Forks is small, it is distributed quite regularly throughout the year, especially during the warm period.

When planning a trip to Grand Forks, it is important to consider the significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year. The winter months (from December to February) are very cold here, with average temperatures significantly below freezing (down to -11.6°C) and minimal precipitation, which will likely be in the form of snow. Therefore, during this period, you will need very warm items: thermal underwear, an insulated winter jacket, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and waterproof shoes. Do not forget windproof clothing, as low temperatures combined with wind can feel even colder.

Spring (from March to May) and autumn (from September to November) are transitional seasons. It is still quite cool in March, but by May the temperature becomes comfortable (around 14°C). In autumn, conversely, there is a gradual cooling from a pleasant 17°C in September to nearly freezing temperatures in November. During these periods, it is best to use the principle of layering in your clothing: t-shirts, jumpers, and a light or mid-season jacket. The amount of precipitation increases slightly, especially in spring (up to 10 rainy days in April and May), so a light umbrella or raincoat will be useful. Comfortable walking shoes are a must at any time of the year.

Summer (from June to August) in Grand Forks is warm, with average temperatures around 20-22°C and maximums reaching 28°C. During this period, you will need light summer clothing: t-shirts, shorts, dresses. Despite the warmth, summer months are also characterised by the highest amount of precipitation (up to 3 mm and 9-10 rainy days), so a light jacket or raincoat may come in handy. Don't forget sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses for protection against the sun. Overall, layering is a good approach for Grand Forks, allowing you to adapt to weather changes throughout the day, especially in the transitional seasons.