Late-Season Snow Still Possible in North Dakota

April snowfall exceeds normal levels across the state, with some areas seeing up to six times their typical amount.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:06pm

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A vast, majestic landscape painting in muted tones of white, grey, and blue, depicting a snow-covered expanse under a dramatic, cloudy sky. The scene conveys the overwhelming, sublime scale of the natural world, with any physical structures or objects dwarfed by the winter weather.The late-season snowfall in North Dakota this April serves as a reminder of the state's unpredictable winter weather patterns.Dickinson Today

While April typically marks the end of the snow season in North Dakota, this year has seen above-average snowfall across the state, with some areas like Jamestown seeing nearly six times their normal April snow totals. The middle to late part of the month is when the state typically sees its last significant snowfall, but the potential for wintry weather remains, even into May and June in some regions.

Why it matters

Unseasonably late snowfall can have significant impacts on agriculture, infrastructure, and daily life in North Dakota. Prolonged winter weather can delay planting, damage crops, and create hazardous driving conditions, underscoring the importance of understanding the state's evolving weather patterns.

The details

Bismarck has seen double its normal April snowfall, while Jamestown has received almost six times its typical amount. Other notable late-season snowstorms occurred in April 1997, 2023, and 2022. While snow in May and June is less common, it has been recorded as late as the middle of June in Williston.

  • The middle to end of April is the average last time frame to see at least a tenth of an inch of snow in North Dakota.
  • The state typically sees around 4 inches of snow across the state in April.
  • The latest snow on record in most of North Dakota comes around the beginning of June, but has been as late as the middle of June in Williston.

The players

Bismarck

The capital city of North Dakota, which has seen double its normal April snowfall this year.

Jamestown

A city in North Dakota that has received almost six times its typical April snow amount.

Williston

A city in North Dakota where the latest snow on record has come as late as the middle of June.

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The takeaway

This late-season snow in North Dakota serves as a reminder that the state's weather patterns can be unpredictable, even as the calendar turns to spring. Residents and businesses must remain vigilant and prepared for the possibility of wintry weather well into the traditional growing season.