Weather in Fargo, North Dakota
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows. Day 59 of spring. Read this microseason across nine climate regions →
- TodayMay 16Clear—60°49°
- SundayMay 17Light Rain64%68°45°
- MondayMay 18Light Rain69%56°41°
- TuesdayMay 19Light Drizzle69%46°41°
- WednesdayMay 20Overcast—64°38°
- ThursdayMay 21Heavy Drizzle26%59°48°
- FridayMay 22Light Drizzle14%67°53°
- PM 2.5
- 0.6 μg/m³
- PM 10
- 0.6 μg/m³
- NO₂
- 3.5 μg/m³
- Ozone
- 58.0 μg/m³
- UV Index
- 0.0 Low
When the dew is on the grass, rain will never come to pass.
- Moonrise
- 10:47 AM
- Moonset
- 2:37 AM
- In sign
- ♊︎ Gemini
Roses Bloom Along the Shelter Rows
Fargo at a glance
- Today vs. normal: 15°F below the seasonal normal for this latitude
- Last frost: May 27 (climatological average for this latitude)
- Microseason: 28 of 72, May 16–20
- Planting window: Direct sow okra, melons, and southern peas. Thin carrot rows.
Right now in the garden
Cool-season window is open
As of May 17, the cool-season window is open or about to open. Direct-sow peas, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and brassicas now. Hold off on warm-season crops until 1–2 weeks after the last spring frost (around May).
Planting calendar
| Month | Plant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|
| January | — | — |
| February | — | — |
| March | — | — |
| April | — | — |
| May | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| June | lettuce, peas, spinach, radishes, tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | lettuce, peas, radishes |
| July | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| August | tomatoes, peppers, beans, squash, fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| September | fall brassicas, garlic (overwinter), carrots | tomatoes, beans, summer squash |
| October | — | winter squash, tomatoes (last) |
| November | — | — |
| December | — | — |
A year in weather
July brings Fargo's warmest temperatures (~71°F mean) while January delivers the coldest (~8°F). Rainfall peaks in June (4.3 inches) and drops to its lowest point in February (0.7 inches).
| Month | Mean temp | Precip | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| February | 12° | 0.7″ | 2 |
| March | 26° | 1.1″ | 4 |
| April | 42° | 1.6″ | 5 |
| May | 56° | 3.1″ | 10 |
| June | 66° | 4.3″ | 14 |
| July | 71° | 3.7″ | 12 |
| August | 69° | 2.7″ | 9 |
| September | 60° | 2.5″ | 8 |
| October | 45° | 2.2″ | 7 |
| November | 29° | 0.9″ | 3 |
| December | 15° | 0.8″ | 3 |
Regional context
Fargo falls within a warm-summer humid continental climate region. This classification connects the city to a group that shares similar temperature ranges, seasonal patterns, and growing conditions across nearby cities.
Similar climates: Bismarck, ND, Grand Forks, ND, Minot, ND, West Fargo, ND, Williston, ND.
Naturalist notes
American robins return to Fargo lawns and parks in late March, their orange breasts marking winter's retreat.
Common lilac blooms appear in late May, filling neighborhoods with purple clusters and sweet fragrance.
Frequently asked
- When does it freeze in Fargo?
- Fargo's last spring frost typically falls around mid-May, and the first fall frost arrives around mid-October.
- What is the rainy season in Fargo?
- June is the wettest month with about 4.3 inches of rain on average; the city receives roughly 24 inches annually.
- What is the warmest month in Fargo?
- July is typically warmest, averaging about 71°F.
- What is the coldest month in Fargo?
- January is typically coldest, averaging about 8°F.
- When can I start a vegetable garden in Fargo?
- Cool-season crops (peas, lettuce) can be sown around the last spring frost (mid-May); warm-season crops (tomatoes, peppers) wait until 1–2 weeks after.
- How many rainy days does Fargo get?
- Fargo averages about 79 rainy days per year.
- What hardiness zone is Fargo?
- Fargo's USDA hardiness zone is determined by its lowest average winter temperature; check the USDA's online lookup with the city ZIP for the current zone designation.
Climate
Fargo, North Dakota sits in a warm-summer humid continental climate zone. January temperatures hover near 8°F while July averages 71°F — a 63°F seasonal swing.
Throughout the year, Fargo receives about 24 inches of precipitation spread over roughly 79 rainy days.
Latitude (46.9°N), proximity to large water bodies, and elevation set the rhythm of the year. These factors shape what grows here, when frost is likely, and what the weather story looks like day to day.