Weather & Climate in Bismarck, ND

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

Bismarck has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 70°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 20.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,752 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	42.3°F
	22% below US avg
January Average	13°F (-11°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,752 ft (534 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	2,137/sq mi
Coordinates	46.8146°N, 100.7701°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Burleigh County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.4"

46% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.72"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Moderate
Risk Score	85.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	13.8 / 100
Community Resilience	97.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Tornado History

252 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 8 fatalities, 100 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	41 km	14.8 mi	2
Jul 4, 1978	EF4	97 km	26.0 mi	5
Jul 1, 1952	EF4	33 km	48.0 mi	1
Jul 30, 1981	EF3	29 km	23.9 mi	0
May 25, 1978	EF3	10 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 18, 1956	EF3	95 km	10.6 mi	0
Jun 5, 1956	EF3	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1955	EF3	60 km	1.3 mi	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	88 km	12.0 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF2	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 17, 2001	EF2	91 km	30.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1999	EF2	93 km	15.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1999	EF2	66 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 18, 1990	EF2	70 km	6.0 mi	0
May 30, 1985	EF2	57 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 4, 1982	EF2	99 km	5.0 mi	0
May 24, 1975	EF2	92 km	33.7 mi	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF2	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF2	63 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1974	EF2	61 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	TENBROOK	30,588	82 km
2006	LUND	9,425	79 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	65 km
2003	MCCLEAN BOTTOMS	6,421	26 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	99 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	54 km
2004	FISCHER	2,578	58 km
2012	CORNSTALK	2,561	97 km
2000	NEUGERFIRE	2,150	58 km
2024	STATELINE	2,123	98 km
2003	24	2,119	87 km
2006	RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM	1,705	88 km
2002	BISRURAL2	1,649	24 km
2015	BIG LAKE FIRE	1,587	55 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,492	23 km
2024	CEDAR CREEK	1,388	91 km
2002	BALE II	1,179	51 km
1999	SOLEN	1,155	52 km
2006	RICE LAKE 1	1,150	41 km
2007	ROBINSON SUNFLOWER	1,115	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	13°F (-11°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	17°F (-8°C)	0.4 in
March	29°F (-2°C)	0.8 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.6 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.2 in
June	66°F (19°C)	2.7 in	Wettest
July	70°F (21°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	2.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.6 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.3 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.6 in
December	15°F (-9°C)	0.4 in

Bismarck has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 13°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.7") and January the driest (0.4").

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