Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alexander has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 273 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Annual precipitation totals 15.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 2,163 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-10°C)70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average
42.1°F
22% below US avg
January Average
13°F (-10°C)
July Average
70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days
273 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
2,163 ft (659 m)
Area
1.2 sq mi (3.2 km²)
Population Density
216/sq mi
Coordinates
47.8381°N, 103.6432°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
McKenzie County County
Nearest Airport
Sidney-Richland Regional (SDY) 27 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall15.7"
59% below US avg
Snowfall50.4"
Wettest Month (Jun)2.76"
Driest Month (Feb)0.35"
Air Quality
AQI Median
38.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
25.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
43.7 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990.
Strongest on record: M3.8.
Feb 25, 2014
23 km N of Brockton, Montana
M3.8
108 km
5 km
Jul 29, 1998
16 km WNW of Froid, Montana
M3.8
99 km
5 km
Nov 11, 1998
10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota
M3.5
84 km
5 km
Sep 28, 2012
22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota
M3.3
32 km
5 km
May 6, 2014
12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana
M2.6
68 km
8 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
99 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 39 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 11, 1974
EF3
80 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 10, 1952
EF3
90 km
8.8 mi
0
Jul 9, 2018
EF2
27 km
0.5 mi
1
Jun 1, 2018
EF2
77 km
3.5 mi
0
May 26, 2014
EF2
31 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 27, 1982
EF2
38 km
0.4 mi
0
Jun 5, 1976
EF2
80 km
2.0 mi
0
Jun 25, 1975
EF2
42 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 11, 1972
EF2
89 km
9.1 mi
0
Jul 2, 1971
EF2
93 km
10.0 mi
0
Sep 21, 1969
EF2
88 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 14, 1962
EF2
99 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 13, 1953
EF2
42 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 1, 1952
EF2
7 km
9.7 mi
0
Jul 6, 2024
EF1
99 km
1.2 mi
0
Jun 30, 2015
EF1
53 km
17.5 mi
0
Jun 11, 2007
EF1
97 km
3.0 mi
0
Jul 21, 1999
EF1
54 km
1.0 mi
0
Jun 26, 1990
EF1
92 km
1.0 mi
0
Aug 21, 1985
EF1
99 km
1.3 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 acres, 2024).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2024
WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE
67,150
68 km
1999
GAP/ROUGH CREEK
53,708
29 km
1988
BAINVILLE
12,790
41 km
2021
LITTLE SWALLOW
9,886
86 km
1988
MURPHY
8,918
79 km
1999
ROUGH CRK
7,887
41 km
2018
18 DONUT HOLE
7,838
100 km
2017
YOOPER
7,834
81 km
2012
LITTLE SWALLOW
6,304
81 km
1988
MIKES CREEK
5,309
79 km
2021
SMITH
5,212
96 km
2017
MAGPIE FIRE
5,056
58 km
2021
ROOSEVELT CREEK
4,608
77 km
2021
HORSE PASTURE
4,431
34 km
2015
RIDGE ROAD
3,390
49 km
1988
MONTANA LINE
3,307
33 km
1988
CINNAMON CREEK
3,204
49 km
2024
CHARLSON
3,055
62 km
2021
ELKHORN
2,784
65 km
2021
13 MILE FIRE
2,585
53 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
13°F (-10°C)
0.5 in
Coldest
February
19°F (-7°C)
0.4 in
Driest
March
30°F (-1°C)
0.6 in
April
44°F (7°C)
1.3 in
May
56°F (13°C)
2.2 in
June
65°F (19°C)
2.8 in
Wettest
July
70°F (21°C)
2.1 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
1.5 in
September
58°F (15°C)
1.6 in
October
46°F (8°C)
0.9 in
November
28°F (-2°C)
0.5 in
December
16°F (-9°C)
0.5 in
Alexander has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 13°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 14.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.8") and February the driest (0.4").