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Weather & Climate in Bottineau, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bottineau has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. The area gets 274 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 19.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.8 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,632 feet.
Temperature
6°F Jan (-15°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 38.6°F |
| 29% below US avg | |
| January Average | 6°F (-15°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,632 ft (497 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,563/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.8248°N, 100.4425°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Bottineau County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minot International (MOT) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 31.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
156 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 15 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 7, 2008 | EF3 | 38 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1986 | EF3 | 16 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1977 | EF3 | 78 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2017 | EF2 | 81 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2016 | EF2 | 68 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1982 | EF2 | 88 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 11 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1973 | EF2 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1972 | EF2 | 14 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF2 | 62 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1960 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2020 | EF1 | 11 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 2018 | EF1 | 86 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 2018 | EF1 | 71 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 2011 | EF1 | 67 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 2010 | EF1 | 94 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2007 | EF1 | 42 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2005 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2005 | EF1 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,371 acres, 1989).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,371 | 44 km |
| 2000 | RED CROSS | 3,015 | 46 km |
| 2017 | NDJCR WUI RX COUNTY RD 17 2016 | 2,772 | 34 km |
| 1992 | CLARK II | 2,443 | 51 km |
| 2009 | COUNTY ROAD 17 | 2,291 | 34 km |
| 1994 | ASPEN | 1,994 | 34 km |
| 2008 | POOL 326 | 1,805 | 30 km |
| 1997 | FOXHOLM1 | 1,187 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°F (-15°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 40°F (4°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.5 in |
Bottineau has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 6°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and February the driest (0.4").