All Countries
Weather & Climate in Benson, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Benson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°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 28.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.6 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 1,043 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.7°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,043 ft (318 m) |
| Area | 3.0 sq mi (7.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,085/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3152°N, 95.6054°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Swift County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall/Ryan Field (MML) 61 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 25.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 49.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 94.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 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 | 67 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 75 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
427 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 129 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 90 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 87 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 25, 2000 | EF4 | 46 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF3 | 46 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 97 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF3 | 78 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 63 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 61 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 37 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 71 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 70 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 49 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 82 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF2 | 76 km | 13.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2009 | EF2 | 12 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2004 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2001 | EF2 | 1 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | LOUISBURGRADE | 6,487 | 51 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 37 km |
| 2004 | FISH FIRE | 1,799 | 56 km |
| 2005 | GRAND MEWS | 1,245 | 59 km |
| 1998 | LEE | 1,137 | 61 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,115 | 60 km |
| 2003 | ANDERSON | 1,082 | 57 km |
| 1998 | ANDREASEN | 1,001 | 56 km |
| 1990 | ANDERSON | 988 | 59 km |
| 2007 | ANDERSON | 797 | 57 km |
| 2006 | ANDERSON | 764 | 59 km |
| 1986 | ANDERSON | 746 | 57 km |
| 2000 | FISH | 720 | 57 km |
| 2010 | WALDEN | 717 | 26 km |
| 2007 | LEE | 689 | 61 km |
| 2000 | SVOR | 661 | 12 km |
| 2006 | MOSQUITO RANCH | 656 | 94 km |
| 2000 | ASHLEY N | 588 | 56 km |
| 2003 | LEE | 560 | 62 km |
| 1994 | ARTICHOKE | 556 | 40 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 1.1 in | |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 47°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 1.1 in |
Benson has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 11°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.3") and May the driest (0.6").