Most of North Dakota operates on Central Standard Time (CST) during winter months, which is 6 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-6). During daylight saving time, observed from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November, North Dakota switches to Central Daylight Time (CDT), which is UTC-5.
The majority of North Dakota follows Central Time, including Fargo, Bismarck, and Grand Forks. However, southwestern counties including Bowman observe Mountain Time (UTC-7/UTC-6). Most of North Dakota's population is in the Central Time Zone.
North Dakota spans two time zones. When it's 9 AM in Fargo (Central Time), it's 8 AM in Bowman (Mountain Time). North Dakota's energy sector coordinates operations across time zones with both US and Canadian markets.