<P> North Dakota's climate is typical of a continental climate with cold winters and warm - hot summers . The state's location in the Upper Midwest allows it to experience some of the widest variety of weather in the United States, and each of the four seasons has its own distinct characteristics . The eastern half of the state has a humid continental climate (Köppen climate classification Dfb) with warm to hot, somewhat humid summers and cold, windy winters, while the western half has a semi-arid climate (Köppen climate classification BSk) with less precipitation and less humidity but similar temperature profiles . The areas east of the Missouri River get slightly colder winters, while those west of the stream get higher summer daytime temperatures . In general, the diurnal temperature difference is prone to be more significant in the west due to higher elevation and less humidity . </P> <P> Due to its location in the center of North America North Dakota experiences temperature extremes characteristic of a continental climate, with cold winters and mild to hot summers . Each season has distinctive upper air patterns which bring different weather conditions with them . One feature of a continental climate is that weather patterns can be unpredictable . For example, an Alberta clipper, a low pressure system originating in the province of Alberta in Canada, would be a common winter occurrence in North Dakota . But with the general unpredictability of weather in a continental climate, such a storm system could occur in spring, or in late autumn . Hot weather, though usually confined to July and August, can sometimes begin as early as April or May, and could spill over into September or October . </P>

Why are there greater temperature extremes in north dakota
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