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FARGO — Over the last 50 years, the frequency of 100-degree summer temperatures has been about the same as the frequency of -30-degree winter temperatures. Since 1972, it has hit 100 degrees in 14 of those 50 years for a total of 29 times. During the cold seasons since 1972, it has hit -30 degrees in 17 years for a total of 31 times. In rough terms, temperatures of 100 degrees or hotter or of -30 degrees or colder have happened in about one-third of the years, for an average of around two occurrences in years in which it happens at all.
Over the entire period of record, the statistics for 100-degree temperatures are roughly the same. However, the frequency of -30-degree temps increases to roughly one-half of the years with an average of around three occurrences each year. Basically, 100 degrees and -30 degrees are somewhat uncommon, but not exactly rare, and -30 temperatures happen less frequently than in the past.
