North Dakotans are used to waiting through long winters for those first signs of spring. Sometimes it seems like winters drag on forever, but as soon as you see some of those tell-tale signs, you know it’s finally coming to an end. If you were to show someone from this state any of these photos, they will know they’re from springtime in North Dakota. How many of them speak to you?
- The beginning of the melt.
Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr North Dakota winters tend to include a decent amount of snow, and that snow sticks around due to the freezing temperatures. Once things start to warm up, the snow begins to melt, and you’ll get sights like this across the prairie.
- A familiar sight and sound of the goose migration heading north.
Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr Millions of migratory birds go over North Dakota every year, many of them snow geese, and a telltale sign of spring arriving is definitely their return as they head back north after wintering in the south.
- The first few prairie crocuses, also known as pasque flowers, emerging from the thaw.
Colleen Graue/Flickr These flowers are usually the first ones to pop up right as spring begins. Some even make their way out of the snow. As soon as you see this classic North Dakota flower popping up, it’s safe to say winter is finally ending.
- Followed by fields full of them and other flowers.
Rick Bohn/USFWS/Flickr The grass comes back to life and the prairie hills can be covered with these flowers. People love taking photos of them and sharing them as a true sign of spring.
- The wispy prairie smoke flower will remind you of beautiful spring days.
Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr After the prairie crocuses begin the season, other native flowers will make their return with beautiful spring blooms. The unusual-looking prairie smoke is one of them.
- After the snow melts, the “stubble” of last year’s fields is revealed.
Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr Last year’s harvest remnants re-emerge before the fields are tilled under and replanted for the new season.
- Sometimes, however, the fields become oceans.
Bri Weldon/Flickr If you live in a river valley of North Dakota, this is a sight you’ve probably seen before during spring. If the snow melts faster than the ground thaws, you’re going to see standing water in many ditches and fields. During particularly wet years, they make the fields look like oceans.
- It doesn’t stop there — spring flooding is something North Dakotans are all too familiar with.
Minnesota National Guard/Flickr High waters are not unusual for spring in North Dakota. In more recent years like 1997 and 2011, devastating floods occurred in ND that will stick in people’s minds forever. Entire towns and neighborhoods were full of water and they caused millions of dollars of damage.
- It’s not always melting in springtime, sometimes the snow returns even after everything is green.
Kari Sullivan/Flickr Sometimes it seems like the seasons are playing tricks on us. It could be in the 60s with beautiful, sunny days, green gardens, and no snow left, and a blizzard could roll through the next day. Seeing green trees covered in a dusting of snow in April or May is certainly a North Dakotan springtime classic.
- In the end, the lush green prairie is all you need to know spring has truly arrived.
USFWS/Flickr After the snow melts, potential floods, and occasional late-season snowstorm, it will always result in a stunning green springtime that makes living in North Dakota all the more worth it.
What other imagery makes you think of springtime in North Dakota? If you’ve taken seasonal photos of the state, be sure to share them in our North Dakota Nature Lovers group on Facebook.
Krista Lundgren/USFWS/Flickr
North Dakota winters tend to include a decent amount of snow, and that snow sticks around due to the freezing temperatures. Once things start to warm up, the snow begins to melt, and you’ll get sights like this across the prairie.
Millions of migratory birds go over North Dakota every year, many of them snow geese, and a telltale sign of spring arriving is definitely their return as they head back north after wintering in the south.
Colleen Graue/Flickr
These flowers are usually the first ones to pop up right as spring begins. Some even make their way out of the snow. As soon as you see this classic North Dakota flower popping up, it’s safe to say winter is finally ending.
Rick Bohn/USFWS/Flickr
The grass comes back to life and the prairie hills can be covered with these flowers. People love taking photos of them and sharing them as a true sign of spring.
After the prairie crocuses begin the season, other native flowers will make their return with beautiful spring blooms. The unusual-looking prairie smoke is one of them.
Last year’s harvest remnants re-emerge before the fields are tilled under and replanted for the new season.
Bri Weldon/Flickr
If you live in a river valley of North Dakota, this is a sight you’ve probably seen before during spring. If the snow melts faster than the ground thaws, you’re going to see standing water in many ditches and fields. During particularly wet years, they make the fields look like oceans.
Minnesota National Guard/Flickr
High waters are not unusual for spring in North Dakota. In more recent years like 1997 and 2011, devastating floods occurred in ND that will stick in people’s minds forever. Entire towns and neighborhoods were full of water and they caused millions of dollars of damage.
Kari Sullivan/Flickr
Sometimes it seems like the seasons are playing tricks on us. It could be in the 60s with beautiful, sunny days, green gardens, and no snow left, and a blizzard could roll through the next day. Seeing green trees covered in a dusting of snow in April or May is certainly a North Dakotan springtime classic.
USFWS/Flickr
After the snow melts, potential floods, and occasional late-season snowstorm, it will always result in a stunning green springtime that makes living in North Dakota all the more worth it.
Check out some other photos of North Dakota that showcase the varying seasons and beauty of the state.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Address: North Dakota, USA
