Bismarck, N.D. – Gardeners and farmers across southwest North Dakota should brace for a sudden cold snap overnight as temperatures are expected to plunge to near 30°F by early Thursday.
According to the National Weather Service in Bismarck, a Freeze Warning is in effect from 1 a.m. CDT (midnight MDT) to 9 a.m. CDT (8 a.m. MDT) Thursday. Affected areas include Dunn, Stark, Morton, Bowman, Hettinger, and surrounding counties, where unseasonably cold air could damage or kill sensitive outdoor vegetation.
Cities including Dickinson, Mandan, Bowman, and Hettinger are all within the warning zone. Residents are urged to cover or bring in tender plants tonight. Farmers should take precautions to protect any vulnerable early crops.
This late-May freeze follows a brief warm spell and is a reminder that spring conditions can still shift sharply in the Northern Plains. Similar cold events in past years have impacted planting schedules and reduced yields.
The warning is expected to expire Thursday morning, but additional advisories may be issued if cold air lingers into the weekend.
