Look, if you’re living in or visiting Bismarck right now, you already know the deal. It’s cold. Like, "why does the air hurt my face" cold. Honestly, anyone checking the Bismarck ND extended weather forecast today—Friday, January 16, 2026—is probably looking for a glimmer of hope or at least a reason to keep the car plugged in.
We just came off a weirdly warm Thursday where the mercury actually hit 42°F. It felt like a different planet. But today? The reality check arrived with a vengeance. We’re sitting at a high of 15°F with a northwest wind screaming at 27 mph. It’s basically the atmosphere’s way of saying, "Welcome back to North Dakota."
The Immediate Reality: Shovels and Shivers
If you’ve got plans for the weekend, you’re going to want to layer up. Hard. Tonight is dropping down to -2°F, and Saturday morning isn't looking much better with a low of -3°F. We’ve got some light snow on the horizon for tomorrow, though the chance is only about 20%.
The wind is the real kicker here. A 15 to 27 mph wind at these temperatures isn't just a "breeze." It’s a physical weight. Sunday keeps that trend going with light snow and a high of 23°F, but the overnight is going to be clear and bitter, bottoming out at 1°F.
What Most People Get Wrong About January Forecasts
Most folks think the middle of the month is the worst of it. Kinda, but not exactly. Looking at the Bismarck ND extended weather forecast for the rest of January 2026, we’re actually seeing a bit of a seesaw pattern.
Monday, Jan 19, is going to be mostly sunny but cold, with a high of only 12°F. Then, things "warm up" (using that term loosely) back into the 20s by Tuesday and Wednesday. We’re stuck in this cycle of snow showers and grey skies for most of next week.
- Tuesday (Jan 20): Snow showers, high 24°F, low 12°F.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): More snow showers, high 21°F, low 7°F.
- Thursday (Jan 22): High 22°F, low 7°F.
It’s just... consistent. It’s that classic Bismarck winter grind where you stop checking the specific numbers and just start checking if the remote start still works.
The Long Game: La Niña and the "February Punch"
National Weather Service experts like Megan Jones have been tracking this La Niña pattern for months. What does that actually mean for your driveway? Typically, La Niña favors colder and slightly wetter conditions across the High Plains. While we’ve had some dry spells, the signal for below-normal temperatures is likely to stick around through the end of the month and into early February.
The Climate Prediction Center is also keeping an eye on a transition to "ENSO-neutral" conditions later this spring, but for now, we’re in the thick of it. The 8 to 14-day outlook (taking us through Jan 29) shows a continued tilt toward below-average temperatures for the Upper Midwest.
By the time we hit Saturday, Jan 24, we might see the high temperature struggle to even reach 2°F. That’s not a typo. Two degrees.
Surviving the Bismarck ND Extended Weather Forecast
If you're out and about, here’s the actual expert advice for this specific stretch of January:
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- Check your tire pressure. These 40-degree swings (like we saw from yesterday to today) play havoc with your sensors and your traction.
- The "Northwest Wind" Rule. In Bismarck, a NW wind usually brings the driest, coldest air. Expect "feels like" temperatures to stay well below zero through the weekend.
- Humidity Matters. Even though it's freezing, the humidity is hovering around 66-75%. That "damp cold" cuts through layers way faster than the dry stuff.
Honestly, the best thing you can do is embrace the indoors. The forecast shows a slight reprieve toward the very end of the month, with some sun on Jan 25 and highs potentially creeping back toward the 20s, but don't hold your breath for a heatwave.
Bismarck in January is about endurance. The days are getting longer—we’re gaining about two minutes of daylight every single day now—but the warmth hasn't caught up to the light just yet. Stay warm, keep the tank full, and maybe find a good book until February decides how it wants to behave.
Next Steps for You:
Check your vehicle's antifreeze levels and ensure your emergency winter kit (blankets, flares, and sand) is in the trunk before the Saturday night temp drop.