Record Snowfall Blankets Fargo

Weekend storm dumps nearly a foot of snow in parts of North Dakota and Minnesota

Apr. 6, 2026 at 11:23am

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The Fargo area saw a record-setting 9.6 inches of snowfall on Saturday, with some nearby regions receiving up to 15 inches. The heavy, wet snow was driven by a powerful spring storm that brought unusually high moisture levels for the region at this time of year.

Why it matters

Significant spring snowstorms are relatively rare in the northern Plains, and this event highlights the unpredictable nature of the region's weather patterns. The heavy snow caused power outages, transportation disruptions, and other challenges for local communities.

The details

According to the National Weather Service, the 9.6 inches of snow that fell in Fargo on April 4th set a new single-day record for that date, surpassing the previous high of 4.7 inches set in 2023. The snow had a high water content, with measurements of 1 to 1.5 inches of liquid precipitation. Other areas in southeast North Dakota saw 9 to 12 inches of snowfall, while parts of Minnesota received up to 15 inches.

  • The record-breaking snowfall occurred on Saturday, April 4, 2026.
  • The previous single-day record for April 4 in Fargo was 4.7 inches, set in 2023.

The players

Timothy Lynch

A lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Grand Forks.

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What they’re saying

“I won't say we don't get it, but it is a little more on the rare side to get up toward that foot of snow in just one storm. Usually, it takes several storms to do that, but this one had quite a bit of moisture to work with. Typically, when we do see that type of one-storm snowfall total, it's going to be the early spring storms or sometimes even the October storms when we have a little more moisture to work with.”

— Timothy Lynch, Lead Forecaster, National Weather Service

The takeaway

This record-breaking spring snowstorm serves as a reminder of the unpredictable and extreme weather patterns that can impact the northern Plains region, even as the calendar turns towards warmer months. The heavy, wet snow caused significant disruptions and challenges for local communities, underscoring the need for preparedness and resilience in the face of such weather events.