Fahrenheit but the dune surface can reach 140 degrees Fahrenheit. In the winter the temperatures can fall below zero. Temperatures can fluctuate as much as 30-40 degrees between day and night. This is more than anywhere else in the world except for dry isolated valley areas in the western states. This area has a short growing season and the winters are long and cold.
High winds can occur at anytime during the day and throughout the year.
Southwest winds can reach speeds up to 40 mph and have been known to exceed 90mph. Only 20 plants are durable enough to withstand the harsh conditions of sand. A few of these make their home at the dunes. They are Indian grass, blowout grass, rice, scurfpea and the yellow prairie sunflower. For plants to survive in these rugged conditions they grow rhizomes, which are roots that extend many feet into the ground so that they can trap as much water as possible when it rains.