Honestly, if you’re living in or visiting "Magic City" right now, you already know the deal. It’s cold. Not just "I should wear a sweater" cold, but the kind of brutal, bone-chilling North Dakota cold that makes your car groan when you turn the key.
The current Minot North Dakota forecast is basically a masterclass in Arctic endurance. As of Sunday night, January 18, 2026, we are sitting at a crisp $-1^{\circ}\text{F}$. But that number is a total lie. Thanks to a steady 13 mph wind cutting in from the northwest, it actually feels like $-20^{\circ}\text{F}$ out there.
That is the reality of January in Ward County.
The Immediate Outlook: Winds and Whiteouts
We just came off a day where the high barely scraped $17^{\circ}\text{F}$. The National Weather Service in Bismarck had a Wind Advisory in place until 6:00 PM today because those northwest gusts were hitting up to 55 mph earlier. Even though the advisory technically expired, the residual blowing snow is still making visibility kinda sketchy on the backroads.
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If you're planning your Monday, don't expect a heatwave.
Tomorrow, Martin Luther King Jr. Day, is going to stay cloudy with a high of only $7^{\circ}\text{F}$. The overnight low is dropping to $-4^{\circ}\text{F}$. Basically, if you don't have to be outside, don't be.
What the Next 10 Days Look Like
People often think North Dakota winters are just one long, flat line of misery, but there's actually a lot of movement. Here is the breakdown of what's coming:
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- Tuesday (Jan 20): We get a tiny "warm-up" to $18^{\circ}\text{F}$, but it comes with a 25% chance of snow showers.
- Wednesday (Jan 21): More of the same. Highs around $17^{\circ}\text{F}$, but the wind picks back up to 20 mph.
- The Thursday Cliff: This is where things get real. Thursday’s high is projected at $-4^{\circ}\text{F}$, crashing down to a low of $-21^{\circ}\text{F}$ overnight.
- Friday (Jan 23): The coldest day in the immediate set. We are looking at a daytime "high" of $-11^{\circ}\text{F}$ and a nighttime low of $-22^{\circ}\text{F}$.
At those temperatures, frostbite can happen in under 30 minutes on exposed skin. It’s the kind of weather where you check on your neighbors and make sure your pets are strictly indoors.
Why Minot Gets Hit So Hard
Minot is located at 48° 18'N latitude. You've got no mountain ranges to block the Arctic air masses sliding down from central Canada. It’s basically a straight shot for the polar vortex.
Historically, January is the coldest month here, with average lows typically around $4^{\circ}\text{F}$ to $6^{\circ}\text{F}$. We are currently running a bit colder than those historical norms. According to data from the Western Regional Climate Center, Minot's record lows can dip into the $-40^{\circ}\text{F}$ range, so while $-22^{\circ}\text{F}$ feels catastrophic, it’s actually "normal" for a tough North Dakota winter.
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Preparing for the Thursday Freeze
Since we know that massive temperature drop is coming on Thursday, you've got a couple of days to get ready.
First, check your vehicle. Lead-acid batteries lose about 60% of their strength at $0^{\circ}\text{F}$. If your battery is more than three years old, it might give up the ghost on Friday morning. Also, keep your gas tank at least half full to prevent fuel line freeze-up.
Second, the "Magic City" wind is no joke. Even if the thermometer says it's warming up next weekend (back to $4^{\circ}\text{F}$ or $8^{\circ}\text{F}$), the wind chill will stay negative.
Practical Next Steps:
- Seal the drafts: Grab some weather stripping for your north-facing doors before Thursday.
- Emergency Kit: Ensure your car has a "winter survival bag" with a heavy blanket, jumper cables, and some high-calorie snacks.
- Check Pipes: If you have plumbing on exterior walls, leave your cabinet doors open on Thursday night to let the indoor heat reach the pipes.
Stay warm, Minot. This deep freeze is temporary, but you've got to respect the northwest wind while it’s here.