Patchy frost occurred over portions of the area throughout these 3 mornings, which was not normal for August.  As patchy frost also occurred on June 23rd and 24th, the only summer month that didn't have frost was July.  The usual date for a first frost is not until mid to late September.  Daily, monthly, and seasonal temperature records were all set.  On August 19th, the coldest morning temperatures were 35 degrees (5NW  Prosper) and 36 degrees (6N Wahpeton).  Record lows were set at Fargo (39) and at the Grand Forks airport (37).  On August 20th, the coldest morning temperature was 30 degrees (2SE Cando).  Enderlin, Cooperstown, Langdon, 5W Cavalier, and 5N Leonard all dipped to 31 degrees.  Record lows were again set at Fargo (34), the Grand Forks airport (32), and Devils Lake (38).  On August 21st, the coldest temperature was 33 degrees (5NW Prosper).  A record low was set at the Grand Forks airport (38).  The normal low at this time in August was around 55 degrees.  When the month of August ended, it was the coldest August on record for the Grand Forks airport and Devils Lake, and the second coldest at Fargo.  For the summer season (June, July, and August), it was the coldest on record for the Grand Forks airport and the seventh coldest for Devils Lake and Fargo.  Damage to crops was widespread and yet spotty.  Crops in lower lying areas were more susceptible to frost than those slightly higher.  Some crops, like soybeans, edible beans, and corn, were also more susceptible to frost than root crops such as sugarbeets and potatoes.  Some crop varieties were also more frost resistant than others.  The cool summer and prior frosts put many crops about 2 to 4 weeks behind schedule.  The majority of crops that needed warm nights to mature (such as corn or tomatoes) were not expected to make it.  North Dakota crop losses were estimated at $530 million, but crop insurance was expected to offset about $201 million of this amount, leaving a net loss of about $329 million.  However, this estimate covered summer flooding, drought, and the cool weather.  The tourism/resort industry also reported decreased summer revenue.  Garden and vegetable farmers were hit hard, with some vegetables not ripening.  Leaves on trees turned color early and started falling from trees.  The bee industry was also hurt by the cold.  ND was the nation's top honey producer in 2002 and was second in 2003.  The cold weather meant fewer blossoms and less active bees.  In 2003, North Dakota produced 29.6 million pounds of honey worth over $40 million.

Cold/Wind Chill in TOWNER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in CAVALIER, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in PEMBINA, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in BENSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in RAMSEY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in WESTERN WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in EASTERN WALSH, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in EDDY, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in NELSON, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in GRAND FORKS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in GRIGGS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in STEELE, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in TRAILL, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in BARNES, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in CASS, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in RANSOM, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in SARGENT, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Cold/Wind Chill in RICHLAND, NORTH DAKOTA
From 19-AUG-04 00:00:00 to 21-AUG-04 23:59:00 (CST)
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC