Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Breckenridge has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 964 feet.
Temperature
9°F Jan (-13°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
42.1°F
22% below US avg
January Average
9°F (-13°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
253 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
964 ft (294 m)
Area
2.6 sq mi (6.7 km²)
Population Density
1,296/sq mi
Coordinates
46.2659°N, 96.5846°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Wilkin County County
Nearest Airport
Hector International (FAR) 47 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Wettest Month (Jun)3.54"
Driest Month (Feb)0.43"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
5.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability
10.6 / 100
Community Resilience
71.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Very Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Low
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Very Low
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Low
Landslide
Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 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
70 km
10 km
Oct 20, 1995
8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota
M3.7
57 km
5 km
Apr 29, 2011
Minnesota
M2.5
87 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
446 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 209 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 20, 1957
EF5
92 km
52.4 mi
10
Jul 8, 2020
EF4
53 km
8.9 mi
1
Aug 7, 2010
EF4
18 km
5.0 mi
0
Jun 17, 2010
EF4
91 km
39.6 mi
1
Jun 28, 1975
EF4
68 km
5.4 mi
0
Jul 2, 1955
EF4
41 km
9.1 mi
2
Jun 13, 2001
EF3
97 km
12.0 mi
0
May 10, 1982
EF3
29 km
15.0 mi
0
Jun 28, 1975
EF3
67 km
2.3 mi
0
Jul 1, 1973
EF3
48 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 1, 1973
EF3
96 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 15, 1973
EF3
84 km
0.1 mi
0
May 5, 1964
EF3
24 km
5.2 mi
0
Aug 30, 1956
EF3
72 km
5.1 mi
0
Jul 2, 1955
EF3
30 km
18.7 mi
0
Jul 1, 1952
EF3
36 km
0.5 mi
0
Jun 24, 2022
EF2
95 km
30.9 mi
0
May 30, 2022
EF2
62 km
6.8 mi
0
May 30, 2022
EF2
49 km
11.0 mi
0
May 12, 2022
EF2
28 km
9.8 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 acres, 2021).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2021
BIESTERFELD
3,481
64 km
2003
ROTHSAY
3,015
33 km
2024
DORAN WMA
2,455
30 km
2003
DANIELSON
1,682
61 km
2003
OLERUD
1,275
58 km
2007
FLICKERTAIL
1,239
90 km
1996
UNNAMED
1,153
65 km
1985
ALICE 02
1,142
89 km
2016
UNNAMED
1,128
33 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,060
33 km
2021
HARTLEBEN WPA
1,002
36 km
1999
HELLIKSEN
993
100 km
1992
MEADOWS
922
22 km
2005
HILLICKSON 05
818
100 km
2012
DONELY TILMAN
773
97 km
2000
UNNAMED
718
89 km
1997
HELLIKSON
669
99 km
2006
MOSQUITO RANCH
656
73 km
2009
READ
643
97 km
2007
HAUGVEDT WPA
630
50 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
9°F (-13°C)
0.6 in
Coldest
February
15°F (-9°C)
0.4 in
Driest
March
28°F (-2°C)
1.0 in
April
44°F (7°C)
1.9 in
May
58°F (15°C)
2.8 in
June
67°F (20°C)
3.5 in
Wettest
July
71°F (22°C)
3.3 in
Warmest
August
69°F (21°C)
2.6 in
September
60°F (15°C)
2.4 in
October
47°F (8°C)
1.9 in
November
29°F (-2°C)
0.8 in
December
14°F (-10°C)
0.4 in
Breckenridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 9°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.4").