Most North Dakotans love living here and so many things about this state, but there are a few things we would probably rather do without. There are also a handful of things we simply learn to avoid if we can – either due to safety or just inconvenience. If you live in the Peace Garden State, you probably know to avoid these 8 things at all costs:
- Windchill.
longitudelatitude/Flickr Just because you think you have a tolerance for the cold doesn’t mean you should go out during a windchill warning with inadequate gear, or really, go outside during one at all if you can avoid it. They warn you for a reason - you can and will get frostbite if exposed for too long. North Dakota cold is no joke!
- Driving during a blizzard.
Wes Peck/Flickr Speaking of adverse winter weather, North Dakota blizzards are brutal when it comes to driving. Due to the relatively flatness of a big portion of the state along with being a windy place, blizzards can be extra dangerous on the road. Blowing snow can bring visibility to pretty much nothing and huge snow drifts form across the roads that you can either get stuck in or cause you to slip and slide until you get stuck in the ditch instead. Seriously, if you don’t have to drive then, don’t.
- Watching the movie Fargo thinking its an accurate representation of North Dakota.
Fargo-Moorhead CVB/Flickr First of all, North Dakota is barely even in it. Second of all, you will cringe at those accents… trust me. As long as you go into it knowing this, you’ll be fine, but if you’re expecting accuracy, you’re going to be disappointed, so just avoid that all together.
- Not having a tornado plan.
noaaphotolib/Flickr North Dakota is no stranger to tornadoes during the summer storm season. This is especially important if you live out in a rural area. Make sure you have a plan on where to shelter during a tornado just in case the worst happens.
- Floods.
DVIDSHUB/Flickr North Dakota’s rivers can and will rise to record breaking amounts that will flood cities within days. If you are in one of those areas and can, get out while you have the chance if flooding is suspected. Many of us remember how devastating floods can be because we’ve experienced them.
- Assuming North Dakota is cold year round.
Darla Hueske/Flickr Oh boy, if you’re just moving to North Dakota and you assume that it is frozen over 365 days a year and pack accordingly, you’re in for a rough time. North Dakota summers have temperatures well above 90 degrees and high humidity to add onto that. Shorts, sunscreen, and A/C are pretty necessary here.
- Getting stuck on a road behind a tractor if you’re in a rush.
Chuck Coker/Flickr We love our farmers, but sometimes if you’re in a hustle to get somewhere, you probably don’t want to get stuck behind a combine going 25 MPH down a county road. Usually they will go over as far as they can to let you pass, but if you’re in a no passing zone or theres a back up 10 cars long behind it, it’s going to be a while.
- Thinking North Dakota is just a flyover state.
Justin Meissen/Flickr The Peace Garden State has so much more to offer than most people realize. Whether you’re into outdoorsy places, fascinating historical sites, or hip urban downtowns of big cities, it has a bit of everything and then some. There is so much to see and explore that it’s a shame people even think of it as anything less!
How many of these can you relate to? What other North Dakotan things do you tend to avoid? Alternatively, here are some things that North Dakotans can’t get enough of and absolutely love!
longitudelatitude/Flickr
Just because you think you have a tolerance for the cold doesn’t mean you should go out during a windchill warning with inadequate gear, or really, go outside during one at all if you can avoid it. They warn you for a reason - you can and will get frostbite if exposed for too long. North Dakota cold is no joke!
Wes Peck/Flickr
Speaking of adverse winter weather, North Dakota blizzards are brutal when it comes to driving. Due to the relatively flatness of a big portion of the state along with being a windy place, blizzards can be extra dangerous on the road. Blowing snow can bring visibility to pretty much nothing and huge snow drifts form across the roads that you can either get stuck in or cause you to slip and slide until you get stuck in the ditch instead. Seriously, if you don’t have to drive then, don’t.
Fargo-Moorhead CVB/Flickr
First of all, North Dakota is barely even in it. Second of all, you will cringe at those accents… trust me. As long as you go into it knowing this, you’ll be fine, but if you’re expecting accuracy, you’re going to be disappointed, so just avoid that all together.
noaaphotolib/Flickr
North Dakota is no stranger to tornadoes during the summer storm season. This is especially important if you live out in a rural area. Make sure you have a plan on where to shelter during a tornado just in case the worst happens.
DVIDSHUB/Flickr
North Dakota’s rivers can and will rise to record breaking amounts that will flood cities within days. If you are in one of those areas and can, get out while you have the chance if flooding is suspected. Many of us remember how devastating floods can be because we’ve experienced them.
Darla Hueske/Flickr
Oh boy, if you’re just moving to North Dakota and you assume that it is frozen over 365 days a year and pack accordingly, you’re in for a rough time. North Dakota summers have temperatures well above 90 degrees and high humidity to add onto that. Shorts, sunscreen, and A/C are pretty necessary here.
Chuck Coker/Flickr
We love our farmers, but sometimes if you’re in a hustle to get somewhere, you probably don’t want to get stuck behind a combine going 25 MPH down a county road. Usually they will go over as far as they can to let you pass, but if you’re in a no passing zone or theres a back up 10 cars long behind it, it’s going to be a while.
Justin Meissen/Flickr
The Peace Garden State has so much more to offer than most people realize. Whether you’re into outdoorsy places, fascinating historical sites, or hip urban downtowns of big cities, it has a bit of everything and then some. There is so much to see and explore that it’s a shame people even think of it as anything less!
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