Weather & Climate in Arco, MN

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Arco has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 276 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 28.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,663 feet.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	44.4°F
	18% below US avg
January Average	14°F (-10°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,663 ft (507 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density	210/sq mi
Coordinates	44.3847°N, 96.1839°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lincoln County County
Nearest Airport	Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall/Ryan Field (MML) 18 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.6"

25% below US avg

Snowfall 39.6"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.82"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	36.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	18.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	34.5 / 100
Community Resilience	72.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Jun 5, 1993	11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota	M4.1	144 km	10 km
Feb 9, 1994	6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota	M3.1	116 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

420 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 14 fatalities, 303 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992	EF5	66 km	16.0 mi	1
Jun 13, 1968	EF5	42 km	9.1 mi	9
Jul 25, 2000	EF4	70 km	9.0 mi	1
Mar 29, 1998	EF4	71 km	73.5 mi	1
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	95 km	54.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF4	53 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 1955	EF4	11 km	30.0 mi	1
May 30, 2022	EF3	68 km	13.3 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF3	94 km	18.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	76 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	84 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	51 km	16.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	53 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	65 km	13.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	51 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	79 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	43 km	12.0 mi	0
Apr 20, 1985	EF3	54 km	8.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1983	EF3	97 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1970	EF3	66 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2004	LOUISBURGRADE	6,487	93 km
2003	CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE	2,067	86 km
2004	FISH FIRE	1,799	93 km
2005	GRAND MEWS	1,245	96 km
1998	LEE	1,137	96 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,115	96 km
2003	ANDERSON	1,082	93 km
1998	ANDREASEN	1,001	95 km
1990	ANDERSON	988	96 km
2007	ANDERSON	797	93 km
2006	ANDERSON	764	97 km
1986	ANDERSON	746	93 km
2000	FISH	720	95 km
2007	LEE	689	95 km
2003	LEE	560	96 km
1993	LEE	516	96 km
1995	ANDREASON	507	93 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	14°F (-10°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	18°F (-8°C)	0.6 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.6 in
April	44°F (7°C)	2.3 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.1 in
June	67°F (19°C)	3.8 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	3.5 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	2.7 in
September	59°F (15°C)	2.7 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.9 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	1.2 in
December	17°F (-9°C)	0.7 in

Arco has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.5").

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