If you’ve spent any time in the Magic City during January, you know the drill. One minute you’re walking from your car to the grocery store in a light jacket because it’s a weirdly balmy 39°F, and the next, the wind is trying to peel the skin off your face. That’s basically where we are right now.
Honestly, the current forecast for Minot North Dakota is a perfect example of why North Dakotans have trust issues with the sky. As of Thursday afternoon, January 15, 2026, we are sitting at a relatively mild 39°F. But don't let that fool you. The "feels like" temperature is already lagging back at 30°F because of a 23 mph wind coming out of the northwest.
It’s about to get a whole lot worse.
The Immediate Drop: From Slush to Shivers
Usually, when we see a high of 41°F in the middle of January, we celebrate. Today is that day. But the National Weather Service isn't handing out party favors; they’ve issued a High Wind Warning. We’re looking at northwest winds sustained at 28 to 33 mph, with gusts screaming up to 55 mph.
If you have loose lawn furniture or a trash can that likes to wander, tie it down now.
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Tonight, the floor drops out. We’re expecting snow showers with a low of 9°F. That is a 32-degree plunge in a single evening. When you combine that with the 25% chance of snow and those 55 mph gusts, you get patchy blowing snow. Visibility is going to be a mess on Highway 83 and the bypass.
Kinda makes you want to stay inside with a crockpot of chili, doesn't it?
Friday: The Real Reality Check
Tomorrow, Friday, January 16, is when the "real" winter returns to Minot.
- High Temperature: 9°F (and that's likely happening early in the day).
- Low Temperature: -10°F.
- Wind Chill: Values as low as -30°F.
- Wind Speed: Northwest at 26 mph, gusting to 55 mph.
Basically, if you’re heading out to Minot Air Force Base or just commuting across town, Friday is a "don't leave your skin exposed" kind of day. At -30°F wind chill, frostbite can set in faster than you can finish a cup of coffee.
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Looking at the 10-Day Horizon
The forecast for Minot North Dakota over the next week looks like a rollercoaster designed by someone who hates stability. After we bottom out at -10°F on Friday night, Saturday tries to recover with a high of 27°F. It’s a brief reprieve before we settle back into the teens.
Sunday and Monday (MLK Day) will hover between 14°F and 23°F for highs. These are actually pretty close to our historical averages for January, which usually see highs around 21°F. It’s not "warm," but compared to Friday’s nightmare, it’ll feel downright manageable.
The real concern on the horizon is toward the end of next week. By Friday, January 23, and Saturday, January 24, the forecast is calling for highs of -4°F and -5°F, respectively. Nighttime lows are projected to hit -18°F.
This isn't just a "cold snap." It’s the deep freeze that defines a North Dakota winter.
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Why Is This Happening?
A lot of this variability is tied to the ongoing La Niña conditions that meteorologists from the National Weather Service in Bismarck have been tracking. Historically, about 77% of weak La Niña events lead to colder-than-normal winters in the Northern Plains.
While we had a mild start to the month, the "back half" of winter is living up to its reputation for being active and aggressive.
Navigating the Wind and Snow
When you're looking at a forecast for Minot North Dakota that includes 55 mph gusts and sub-zero lows, preparation isn't just a suggestion—it’s a survival skill.
- Check your tires: Cold air causes tire pressure to drop. If your "low pressure" light hasn't come on yet, it probably will by Friday morning.
- The Survival Kit: Most of us have one, but is yours actually in the car? Make sure you have blankets, a shovel, and jumper cables. Battery performance drops significantly once we hit that -10°F mark.
- Pet Safety: If it’s too cold for you, it’s definitely too cold for the dog. Short walks only, and keep an eye on their paws with all the salt on the sidewalks.
- Pipe Protection: With lows hitting -18°F late next week, keep your cabinet doors open under the sinks if they are on exterior walls.
The light snow we’re seeing today (only about a 25% chance of accumulation) isn't the big story. The big story is the wind and the plummeting mercury. We’re moving from a slushy afternoon into a weekend of "dangerous" cold.
Stay weather-aware, keep the gas tank at least half full, and maybe grab an extra bag of salt for the driveway before the wind makes it impossible to stand upright.
Next Steps for Minot Residents:
Check the updated wind chill advisories on Friday morning before heading out for the commute, and ensure your vehicle's engine block heater is functioning if you plan on parking outside next Friday when temperatures hit -18°F.