During the late fall and winter, cold fronts accompanied by strong, gusty winds drop temperatures by 20 to 30 degrees in a 24-hour period. Severe cold spells usually last only a few days. The winter months of December through February have experienced cold spells with average temperatures under 8 degrees and more than 60 consecutive days below 32 degrees. Temperatures of 100 degrees and above occur about every three years, and will most likely happen in July. Summer nights are usually comfortable with temperatures below 70 degrees.
Rainfall is heavier during the spring and summer with lighter amounts in winter.
Nearly 64 percent of the normal yearly precipitation falls during the growing season of April through August. One or two heavy snows fall each winter. Eight to 12 inches of snow may fall in 24 hours. There have been a few snows in excess of 16 inches and almost 30 inches have fallen during a severe winter storm. Strong winds often cause drifting snow and blizzard conditions may block highways for a day or so.