If you’re planning to visit the "Christmas Capital of North Dakota," you probably expect a bit of snow. But honestly, the weather in Garrison ND is way more of a rollercoaster than a simple postcard scene. One day you’re sitting on the edge of Lake Sakakawea with a fishing rod, enjoying a crisp 75-degree breeze, and the next, a "Clipper" system dives down from Canada and drops the temperature 40 degrees in an afternoon.
It’s wild.
Garrison sits right in that sweet spot of the Great Plains where the geography doesn't offer much protection. There are no mountains to block the arctic blasts, and nothing to stop the humid southern air from creeping up in July. Basically, if you don't like the sky right now, wait twenty minutes. It’ll change.
The Brutal Reality of Winter (And Why People Love It)
Let's not sugarcoat it: January in Garrison is cold. Like, "don't leave your car running or it might actually freeze in place" cold. We’re talking average lows of 4°F. That’s just the average. It’s totally normal to see stretches where the mercury stays well below zero for a week.
Wind is the real killer here.
The wind speed in Garrison often averages 10 to 20 mph, but during a winter storm, gusts over 40 mph are standard. This creates "ground blizzards." Even if it isn't actually snowing, the wind picks up the existing powder and turns the world into a wall of white.
But here’s the thing—Garrison doesn't shut down. This is when the Dickens Festival takes over. People lean into the cold. You’ll see folks out ice fishing on Lake Sakakawea or Lake Audubon in high-tech shacks that look more like tiny condos than fishing huts.
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- January High: 21°F
- January Low: 4°F
- Snowfall: Usually around 6-8 inches for the month.
The Summer Pivot: It Gets Hotter Than You Think
Most people think North Dakota is a frozen tundra 365 days a year. Wrong. July in Garrison is gorgeous, but it can get genuinely hot. Highs average around 81°F, but hitting the 90s is common.
Humidity can be a factor too. While it’s not Florida, the moisture off the lakes can make it feel "muggy" about 12% of the time in the peak of summer. It's the perfect weather for the Governor’s Cup Walleye Derby, which is a huge deal around here.
June is actually the wettest month. You'll get these massive, dramatic thunderstorms that roll across the prairie. Last year, in June 2025, the area saw severe warnings with 70 mph wind gusts and hail the size of half-dollars. It’s high-stakes weather. One minute you’re golfing at the Garrison Golf Club, and the next, you’re sprinting for the clubhouse because the sky turned a weird shade of green.
Spring and Fall: The Blink-And-You-Miss-It Seasons
Spring in Garrison is... complicated.
It’s less of a "blooming flowers" vibe and more of a "mud and wind" vibe. April is the transition month where you might get a 60-degree day followed by a foot of heavy, wet snow. It’s frustrating.
Fall, however, is the hidden gem. September is arguably the best month to experience the weather in Garrison ND. The average high is 70°F. The bugs are gone. The air is dry. The colors around Fort Stevenson State Park are incredible. It’s the peak of "hoodie weather."
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What Most People Get Wrong About Garrison Weather
The biggest misconception is that the snow is the hardest part. It’s not. It’s the wind chill.
In late 2025, Garrison hit wind chill values as low as -16°F even when the actual air temp wasn't that terrifying. You have to dress in layers. Not just one big coat—you need a base layer, a thermal layer, and a windbreaker.
Another shocker for visitors? The sun. North Dakota is surprisingly sunny. Even in the dead of winter, the sky is often a piercing, bright blue. It’s beautiful, but it’s deceptive. You’ll look out the window, see the sun, and think it’s warm. Then you step outside and the air hurts your face.
Seasonal Breakdown at a Glance
Actually, let's just look at how the year typically shakes out:
Winter (December - March): Freezing. Highs rarely break 30°F. Snow is frequent, but the wind is the main character. Great for snowmobiling and the North Dakota Fishing Hall of Fame.
Spring (April - May): Volatile. One day it’s 55°F, the next it’s 20°F. This is when the ice starts to break on the lakes, which is a loud, cracking spectacle.
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Summer (June - August): Warm and occasionally stormy. Perfect lake weather. June brings the most rain (about 3.37 inches on average), while July is the peak of the heat.
Fall (September - November): The most reliable window. September is perfection. November is when the first real "arctic plunge" usually happens, signaling the end of the open-water season.
How to Actually Handle Garrison Weather
If you’re moving here or just visiting, you need a kit. Forget fashion.
- A Good Scraper: Not a cheap plastic one. You need the heavy-duty brass-blade scraper or a long-handled brush.
- Engine Block Heater: If you’re staying through January, your car will thank you.
- Polarized Sunglasses: The "snow blind" effect is real when the sun hits the white fields.
- A Respect for the Horizon: If you see a dark line moving in from the west, take it seriously. Storms move fast across the flat land.
Garrison is a tough town with a big heart, and the weather is just part of the local identity. It’s what makes the summer days feel so earned and the winter festivals feel so cozy.
To stay ahead of the curve, check the National Weather Service (NWS) Bismarck office reports daily. They provide the most accurate "Garrison (KN60)" station data, which is way more reliable than the generic apps that guess based on Minot or Bismarck. If you're heading out on the water, pay special attention to the small craft advisories; Lake Sakakawea can turn into a miniature ocean when the North Dakota wind gets a running start.