Weather & Climate in Backus, MN

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

Backus has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,342 feet.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	41.8°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	10°F (-12°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	253 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,342 ft (409 m)
Area	0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²)
Population Density	463/sq mi
Coordinates	46.8209°N, 94.5145°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Cass County County
Nearest Airport	Brainerd Lakes Regional (BRD) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.17"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.59"

Air Quality

AQI Median	36.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	53.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	73.1 / 100
Community Resilience	79.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

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

Apr 29, 2011	Minnesota	M2.5	121 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

202 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 15 fatalities, 126 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 17, 2010	EF4	68 km	10.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1969	EF4	23 km	32.3 mi	12
Jun 11, 1966	EF4	24 km	72.8 mi	0
Jun 6, 2008	EF3	42 km	7.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 2001	EF3	96 km	12.0 mi	0
Sep 18, 1997	EF3	91 km	17.0 mi	1
Jul 5, 1991	EF3	41 km	6.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 1977	EF3	52 km	26.3 mi	0
Jun 25, 1973	EF3	60 km	10.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1969	EF3	81 km	12.5 mi	1
Aug 6, 1969	EF3	20 km	17.3 mi	0
Jun 12, 2024	EF2	50 km	14.7 mi	0
Jun 12, 2024	EF2	24 km	3.2 mi	0
Jun 24, 2022	EF2	90 km	30.9 mi	0
May 30, 2022	EF2	58 km	10.5 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	66 km	18.2 mi	0
Jul 8, 2020	EF2	95 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 19, 2016	EF2	62 km	3.5 mi	0
Jul 12, 2015	EF2	65 km	12.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 2008	EF2	44 km	14.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (9,055 acres, 2007).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2007	UNNAMED	9,055	66 km
2009	CENTER TANK RANGE	6,131	70 km
1988	UNNAMED	4,475	70 km
1988	UNNAMED	3,642	80 km
2018	BOY RIVER	3,546	47 km
2003	UNNAMED	2,998	96 km
2009	HENDRICKSON IMPACT AREA	2,757	63 km
2015	TAMARACK	2,745	100 km
1987	UNNAMED	2,512	96 km
1991	UNNAMED	2,486	80 km
1987	UNNAMED	1,963	73 km
2010	BOY RIVER - CORE 2010	1,872	47 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,835	47 km
2009	EAST TANK RANGE	1,801	74 km
1987	UNNAMED	1,799	78 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,777	45 km
1987	UNNAMED	1,760	79 km
1988	UNNAMED	1,589	57 km
2012	JEEP FIRE	1,437	39 km
2004	SOUTH MAIN ROAD	1,384	95 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	10°F (-12°C)	0.8 in	Coldest
February	14°F (-10°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	26°F (-3°C)	1.5 in
April	42°F (5°C)	2.1 in
May	55°F (13°C)	3.1 in
June	63°F (17°C)	4.2 in	Wettest
July	69°F (21°C)	4.0 in	Warmest
August	66°F (19°C)	3.5 in
September	56°F (13°C)	2.9 in
October	44°F (7°C)	2.6 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	1.3 in
December	12°F (-11°C)	0.8 in

Backus has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 10°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (0.6").

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