Most North Dakotans see some snow gradually becoming more frequent as winter rolls in once again. Every time it starts to snow here for the first time after the warm months, many people go back in their memories to the snows of winters past. There have been many massive snowstorms and blizzards in North Dakota that forever remain in the minds of those who lived through them. The question “Does it snow in North Dakota?” is so hilarious as to be rhetorical — the Flickertail State is practically synonymous with snow.
There is one blizzard in particular that has become pretty much the stuff of legend in North Dakota. Even if you didn’t live through the storm personally, there is an iconic image that many people have seen but don’t know the story behind. Today, we’ll go back to March of 1966, when an absolutely unforgettable storm swept through the state. The 1966 North Dakota blizzard will live in infamy.
This iconic photo was more than just a black-and-white picture for those living in North Dakota in March of 1966 - it was reality.
Collection of Dr. Herbert Kroehl/NOAA The photograph above was taken beside utility poles which had been nearly completely buried in snow. The caption says, jokingly, “I believe there is a train under here somewhere!”
The blizzard began on March 2nd, 1966, and lasted over a period of three days. During that time, more than 30 inches of snow fell in most areas of North Dakota. But the snowfall wasn’t the only thing that contributed to this dreadful blizzard. Remarkably powerful wind gusts blew at well over 50 miles per hour - even up to 70 miles per hour at some points - and over 100 miles per hour in other parts of the state. Because of this, visibility was at or near zero in many areas and the snowdrifts created by the wind reached heights of up to 20 feet.
The snow accumulation caused a near complete shutdown of everyday life in North Dakota.
State Historical Society of North Dakota The photo above was shot on the main street of Hague, North Dakota, just after the blizzard. Roads were closed, businesses and homes were snowed in, and statewide warnings to stay indoors were in effect. In one instance, more than 500 passengers of a train were trapped near New Salem, North Dakota, since the rails were completely snowed over. The effects of this blizzard were absolutely unprecedented.
As the snow kept falling and the wind kept blowing, the blizzard claimed many victims.
State Historical Society of North Dakota Almost 140,000 head of livestock perished in the blizzard of ‘66, either trapped out in pasture or from taking shelter in barns that collapsed due to the weight of the snow. Unfortunately, five human lives were also claimed. Two of them were young girls who had gone out to the barn to tend to their family’s animals but quickly got lost due to the lack of visibility. The two wandered out into the endless white abyss, where they died from exposure, much to their parents’ horror.
Even after the snow stopped coming and the powerful winds died down, it took days to dig everything (and everyone) out in hopes of a return to life as normal.
State Historical Society of North Dakota In the photograph above, men use their shovels to dig a bulldozer out of the drift - a bulldozer meant to be pushing paths through the same snow. Millions of dollars in damage occurred to buildings and farms that had to recover from this blizzard long after it was over. It was an exceptionally devastating storm and one that has gone down in history.
North Dakotans are resilient – we have to be if we want to live up here where temperatures drop below zero and snow is guaranteed each year – and we managed to get through this blizzard despite its sheer, tragic force. In this home video below taken in Valley City, ND just after the blizzard, you can see a family making light of the storm and some of the cleanup efforts in town:
Collection of Dr. Herbert Kroehl/NOAA
The photograph above was taken beside utility poles which had been nearly completely buried in snow. The caption says, jokingly, “I believe there is a train under here somewhere!”
The blizzard began on March 2nd, 1966, and lasted over a period of three days. During that time, more than 30 inches of snow fell in most areas of North Dakota. But the snowfall wasn’t the only thing that contributed to this dreadful blizzard. Remarkably powerful wind gusts blew at well over 50 miles per hour - even up to 70 miles per hour at some points - and over 100 miles per hour in other parts of the state. Because of this, visibility was at or near zero in many areas and the snowdrifts created by the wind reached heights of up to 20 feet.
State Historical Society of North Dakota
The photo above was shot on the main street of Hague, North Dakota, just after the blizzard. Roads were closed, businesses and homes were snowed in, and statewide warnings to stay indoors were in effect. In one instance, more than 500 passengers of a train were trapped near New Salem, North Dakota, since the rails were completely snowed over. The effects of this blizzard were absolutely unprecedented.
Almost 140,000 head of livestock perished in the blizzard of ‘66, either trapped out in pasture or from taking shelter in barns that collapsed due to the weight of the snow. Unfortunately, five human lives were also claimed. Two of them were young girls who had gone out to the barn to tend to their family’s animals but quickly got lost due to the lack of visibility. The two wandered out into the endless white abyss, where they died from exposure, much to their parents’ horror.
In the photograph above, men use their shovels to dig a bulldozer out of the drift - a bulldozer meant to be pushing paths through the same snow. Millions of dollars in damage occurred to buildings and farms that had to recover from this blizzard long after it was over. It was an exceptionally devastating storm and one that has gone down in history.
Do you remember the North Dakota blizzard of 1966 or have family stories of those you know who do? Share your experiences in the comments.
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Blizzard in North Dakota November 23, 2021 Tori Jane What is winter in North Dakota like? In one word? FREEZING! North Dakota winters are the kind of winters that seem like they’re specifically designed for folks who really, really love the cold – after all, there’s plenty of that to go around during the coldest months of the year. Typically, temperatures tend to stay below freezing (so, under 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and snowfall is commonplace. Occasionally, one might see freezing rain and even ice storms, though those aren’t quite as common as good old-fashioned snow is. Annual snowfall totals in North Dakota range from 26 inches to 38 inches, all depending on where you’re positioned at. North Dakota winters are cold and can be brutal, especially if one isn’t accustomed to such low temperatures. However, with some warm layered clothing and cozy heating, one can easily learn to love the winters – even in a frigid place like this one! Not convinced? Well, here’s a list of ten reasons nobody goes to North Dakota during the winter. What kind of natural disasters in North Dakota are there? Unfortunately, North Dakota is not a state free of risk from natural disasters – though you’d be hard-pressed to find a state that is. North Dakota typically sees several kinds of potentially devastating events each year; those include things like severe storms, tornadoes, large hail, blizzards, wildfires, and drought. In fact, North Dakota was the unlucky recipient of the first tornado to be officially rated an F5 on the original Fujita scale. It struck the town of Fargo in June of 1957 and wreaked absolute havoc; luckily, this was one of only three such monstrous storms to strike the state. Tornadoes up here tend to be quite a bit smaller than those ones! Large hail comes with severe storms, and flooding can occur in the heaviest of them. Some years, drought worsens the threat of wildfire. However, as long as you live prepared, you can ensure the safety of yourself and your family even in the most extreme of climates.
The OIYS Visitor Center
Blizzard in North Dakota
November 23, 2021
Tori Jane
What is winter in North Dakota like? In one word? FREEZING! North Dakota winters are the kind of winters that seem like they’re specifically designed for folks who really, really love the cold – after all, there’s plenty of that to go around during the coldest months of the year. Typically, temperatures tend to stay below freezing (so, under 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and snowfall is commonplace. Occasionally, one might see freezing rain and even ice storms, though those aren’t quite as common as good old-fashioned snow is. Annual snowfall totals in North Dakota range from 26 inches to 38 inches, all depending on where you’re positioned at. North Dakota winters are cold and can be brutal, especially if one isn’t accustomed to such low temperatures. However, with some warm layered clothing and cozy heating, one can easily learn to love the winters – even in a frigid place like this one! Not convinced? Well, here’s a list of ten reasons nobody goes to North Dakota during the winter. What kind of natural disasters in North Dakota are there? Unfortunately, North Dakota is not a state free of risk from natural disasters – though you’d be hard-pressed to find a state that is. North Dakota typically sees several kinds of potentially devastating events each year; those include things like severe storms, tornadoes, large hail, blizzards, wildfires, and drought. In fact, North Dakota was the unlucky recipient of the first tornado to be officially rated an F5 on the original Fujita scale. It struck the town of Fargo in June of 1957 and wreaked absolute havoc; luckily, this was one of only three such monstrous storms to strike the state. Tornadoes up here tend to be quite a bit smaller than those ones! Large hail comes with severe storms, and flooding can occur in the heaviest of them. Some years, drought worsens the threat of wildfire. However, as long as you live prepared, you can ensure the safety of yourself and your family even in the most extreme of climates.
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
In one word? FREEZING! North Dakota winters are the kind of winters that seem like they’re specifically designed for folks who really, really love the cold – after all, there’s plenty of that to go around during the coldest months of the year. Typically, temperatures tend to stay below freezing (so, under 32 degrees Fahrenheit) and snowfall is commonplace. Occasionally, one might see freezing rain and even ice storms, though those aren’t quite as common as good old-fashioned snow is. Annual snowfall totals in North Dakota range from 26 inches to 38 inches, all depending on where you’re positioned at. North Dakota winters are cold and can be brutal, especially if one isn’t accustomed to such low temperatures. However, with some warm layered clothing and cozy heating, one can easily learn to love the winters – even in a frigid place like this one! Not convinced? Well, here’s a list of ten reasons nobody goes to North Dakota during the winter.
What kind of natural disasters in North Dakota are there?
Unfortunately, North Dakota is not a state free of risk from natural disasters – though you’d be hard-pressed to find a state that is. North Dakota typically sees several kinds of potentially devastating events each year; those include things like severe storms, tornadoes, large hail, blizzards, wildfires, and drought. In fact, North Dakota was the unlucky recipient of the first tornado to be officially rated an F5 on the original Fujita scale. It struck the town of Fargo in June of 1957 and wreaked absolute havoc; luckily, this was one of only three such monstrous storms to strike the state. Tornadoes up here tend to be quite a bit smaller than those ones! Large hail comes with severe storms, and flooding can occur in the heaviest of them. Some years, drought worsens the threat of wildfire. However, as long as you live prepared, you can ensure the safety of yourself and your family even in the most extreme of climates.
