Bismarck, North Dakota — An unseasonable surge of early-season heat will build across the Dakotas starting Friday, May 8, pushing temperatures well above normal and increasing risks for travel and outdoor exposure across Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen.
According to NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center, temperatures will trend 65–75% above normal through May 14, with the most intense heat arriving Friday afternoon. The peak window runs from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, when open plains and urban corridors heat rapidly under strengthening high pressure.
That heat will translate into immediate impacts. Road surfaces along I-94, I-29, and I-90 will heat up during peak afternoon hours, increasing stress on vehicles and raising the risk of tire failures, especially on long rural stretches between cities. In metro areas like Fargo and Sioux Falls, pavement and infrastructure will absorb heat, pushing surface temperatures higher.
Limited overnight cooling will add to the strain, particularly across eastern North Dakota and southeastern South Dakota, where temperatures remain elevated after sunset and reduce recovery time from daytime heat.
Dry conditions combined with heat may also elevate fire risk across western South Dakota and parts of North Dakota, especially near Rapid City and Bismarck where grasses can dry quickly.
This is part of a broader expansion of high pressure pushing unseasonable warmth across much of the western and central United States during this period.
Residents should limit outdoor activity during peak afternoon hours, stay hydrated, and avoid prolonged sun exposure. Drivers should check vehicles before extended travel and remain alert for heat-related issues on highways.
The highest risk for heat-related impacts will occur each afternoon between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday.
