North Dakota 7-Day Forecast: Highs Jump From 58°F to Near 90°F by Memorial Day
overnight low of 47°F Thursday night
What changed
The National Weather Service forecast for central North Dakota shows a sharp warm-up over the next seven days:
| Day | High (°F) | Low (°F) | |---|---|---| | Thursday night / Friday (May 22) | 58 | 47 (overnight) | | Friday night | — | 41 | | Saturday (May 23) | 71 | 45 (Sat night) | | Sunday (May 24) | 82 | 53 (Sun night) | | Memorial Day (May 25) | 89 | 59 (Mon night) | | Tuesday (May 26) | 88 | 61 (Tue night) | | Wednesday (May 27) | 83 | 57 (Wed night) | | Thursday (May 28) | 80 | — |
Friday's high of 58°F is the coolest daytime reading in the forecast. By Memorial Day, the high reaches 89°F. Tuesday stays near that level at 88°F before easing slightly to 83°F Wednesday and 80°F Thursday.
Overnight lows tell a similar story. Friday night drops to 41°F, but by Tuesday night the low is 61°F — a 20-degree jump on the low side alone.
Why it matters
For corn, GDD accumulation (base 50°F) picks up fast once highs push into the 80s and lows stay above 50°F. Friday's 58/41 pairing produces modest GDDs, but by Memorial Day a 89/59 day delivers roughly 24 GDDs on its own. Stacking several days like that accelerates emergence and early vegetative growth for fields planted in mid-May.
For soybeans (base 50°F as well), the same math applies. Warm nights in the upper 50s and low 60s are especially helpful — soil temps stay elevated, which supports germination and root development.
The flip side: a jump this fast can stress small seedlings if soils are dry. Keep an eye on moisture conditions alongside the heat.
What to watch next
- Weekend rain chances. Heat without rain could tighten topsoil moisture quickly. Check your local NWS office for precipitation outlooks.
- Whether highs hold above 80°F into early June. That would keep GDD accumulation on a strong pace.
- Overnight lows. If lows stay above 55°F through the week, soil temps may matter more than air temps for emergence timing.
Source notes
All temperature data from the U.S. National Weather Service API, Bismarck grid point (BIS 110,47). Forecast issued for the period beginning overnight May 22 through daytime May 28, 2026.
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