Does North Dakota get colder than the North Pole?

North Dakota can experience colder temperatures than the North Pole during certain winter cold snaps.

The North Pole sits in the middle of the Arctic Ocean, where sea ice and water help moderate temperatures. Even in winter, average temperatures at the North Pole are often around minus 20 to minus 30 degrees Fahrenheit.

By contrast, North Dakota’s landlocked location allows Arctic air masses to move south with little moderation. During extreme outbreaks, temperatures in the state can drop well below those typically measured at the North Pole.

For example, parts of North Dakota have recorded air temperatures of minus 40 degrees Fahrenheit or colder, with wind chills far lower.

While the North Pole is colder overall across the year, its temperatures tend to be more stable. The northern Plains experience sharper, short-term extremes, meaning North Dakota can briefly be colder than the North Pole even during the winter.