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Weather & Climate in Big Falls, MN

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

Big Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 65°F in July. The area gets 269 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 27.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,222 feet.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 65°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average37.5°F
31% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average65°F (18°C)
Sunny Days269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,222 ft (372 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.6 km²)
Population Density26/sq mi
Coordinates48.1796°N, 93.8092°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyKoochiching County County
Nearest AirportFalls International/Einarson Field (INL)
33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.3"
28% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.41"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score31.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability62.4 / 100
Community Resilience84.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

68 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 18 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 97 km 10.0 mi 0
Sep 1, 1973 EF2 16 km 54.5 mi 0
Jun 25, 1963 EF2 85 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 6, 1959 EF2 81 km 30.3 mi 0
May 30, 2022 EF1 95 km 2.5 mi 0
Jul 26, 2021 EF1 96 km 0.8 mi 0
Jul 26, 2021 EF1 85 km 4.1 mi 0
Jul 17, 2019 EF1 74 km 5.7 mi 0
Jul 17, 2019 EF1 72 km 3.4 mi 0
Jul 17, 2019 EF1 94 km 15.0 mi 0
Aug 26, 2018 EF1 52 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 11, 2018 EF1 73 km 5.0 mi 0
Jul 11, 2018 EF1 79 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 2017 EF1 69 km 2.8 mi 0
Jul 19, 2016 EF1 98 km 4.0 mi 0
Jun 19, 2016 EF1 100 km 3.0 mi 0
Jun 23, 2005 EF1 84 km 5.0 mi 0
Jun 23, 2005 EF1 78 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 8, 1993 EF1 67 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 18, 1987 EF1 95 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

15 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (3,376 acres, 1987).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1987 UNNAMED 3,376 63 km
1991 UNNAMED 3,181 73 km
1987 UNNAMED 3,051 75 km
1985 UNNAMED 2,615 77 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,986 74 km
2000 UNNAMED 1,874 95 km
2006 UNNAMED 1,775 76 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,637 75 km
2004 BLACKDUCK RIVER 1,620 74 km
1986 UNNAMED 1,096 93 km
2004 SECTION 33 WFU 1,064 77 km
2009 HWY 72 EASTPOWERLINE 811 75 km
2007 THE PITT FIRE 745 93 km
2009 INDIAN PINES HWY 72 590 64 km
2003 BIG BOG 503 51 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 5°F (-15°C) 0.9 in Coldest
February 11°F (-12°C) 0.7 in Driest
March 24°F (-5°C) 1.1 in
April 39°F (4°C) 1.6 in
May 53°F (11°C) 2.8 in
June 61°F (16°C) 4.4 in Wettest
July 65°F (18°C) 3.9 in Warmest
August 64°F (18°C) 3.4 in
September 54°F (12°C) 3.1 in
October 43°F (6°C) 2.3 in
November 26°F (-3°C) 1.4 in
December 10°F (-12°C) 1.0 in

Big Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 5°F in January to 65°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (0.7").

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