Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Bemidji, MN

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

Bemidji has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. 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 26.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,373 feet.

Temperature

7°F Jan (-14°C) 69°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average40.0°F
26% below US avg
January Average7°F (-14°C)
July Average69°F (20°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,373 ft (418 m)
Area17.4 sq mi (45.2 km²)
Population Density888/sq mi
Coordinates47.4870°N, 94.8827°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyHubbard County County
Nearest AirportBemidji Regional (BJI)
3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.5"
30% below US avg
Snowfall 48.9"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.90"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score35.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability38.9 / 100
Community Resilience51.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Relatively Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

176 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 86 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 6, 1969 EF4 93 km 32.3 mi 12
Jun 17, 2010 EF3 99 km 15.0 mi 1
Jun 6, 2008 EF3 57 km 7.3 mi 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 86 km 17.3 mi 0
Jun 24, 2023 EF2 84 km 6.2 mi 0
Jun 24, 2022 EF2 93 km 30.9 mi 0
Jun 8, 2019 EF2 100 km 3.6 mi 0
Jun 29, 2018 EF2 86 km 15.4 mi 0
Jul 22, 2013 EF2 80 km 21.1 mi 0
Jul 11, 2008 EF2 74 km 16.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 2008 EF2 83 km 14.1 mi 0
Jul 5, 1991 EF2 72 km 2.5 mi 0
Aug 5, 1981 EF2 36 km 0.8 mi 0
Sep 1, 1973 EF2 95 km 54.5 mi 0
Aug 25, 1960 EF2 47 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 24, 2022 EF1 66 km 3.8 mi 0
Jun 20, 2022 EF1 18 km 3.7 mi 0
May 30, 2022 EF1 84 km 2.5 mi 0
Oct 9, 2021 EF1 67 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 26, 2021 EF1 45 km 0.8 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (131,401 acres, 1987).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1987 UNNAMED 131,401 80 km
2003 REINER 36 67,641 74 km
1989 UNNAMED 66,422 77 km
1990 UNNAMED 43,533 88 km
1991 UNNAMED 37,840 65 km
1990 UNNAMED 32,693 67 km
1987 SANDY LAKE 26,617 68 km
1998 RL3 14,882 79 km
2018 2018 HIGHWAY 1 RXB 13,170 80 km
1994 UNNAMED 8,690 69 km
1990 UNNAMED 8,025 83 km
2016 2016 HIGHWAY 1 RXB 7,744 85 km
2021 RL 005 UNIT 8 AND 9 6,352 62 km
2003 HICKORY ONE 6,152 75 km
2007 HWYONEBURN 6,124 83 km
2002 RED LAKE 468 6,076 60 km
2021 RL 203 GOODS 5,555 71 km
2012 HWY 1 2012 5,491 84 km
2000 RL205 5,239 77 km
2018 RL 029 UNIT 4 5,076 62 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 7°F (-14°C) 0.7 in Coldest
February 11°F (-12°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 24°F (-4°C) 1.0 in
April 40°F (5°C) 1.9 in
May 54°F (12°C) 3.0 in
June 63°F (17°C) 3.9 in Wettest
July 69°F (20°C) 3.8 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 3.4 in
September 56°F (13°C) 2.8 in
October 43°F (6°C) 2.2 in
November 26°F (-4°C) 0.9 in
December 10°F (-12°C) 0.8 in

Bemidji has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 7°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Bemidji, MN →