Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Browns Valley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°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 25.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.2 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 984 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-11°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
43.0°F
20% below US avg
January Average
11°F (-11°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
276 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
984 ft (300 m)
Area
0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density
573/sq mi
Coordinates
45.5947°N, 96.8327°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Roberts County County
Nearest Airport
Watertown Regional (ATY) 50 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall25.4"
33% below US avg
Snowfall44.2"
Wettest Month (Jun)3.39"
Driest Month (Dec)0.51"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
37.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability
77.3 / 100
Community Resilience
24.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Relatively Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Very Low
Winter Weather
Relatively High
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
No Rating
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
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
43 km
10 km
Oct 20, 1995
8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota
M3.7
22 km
5 km
Apr 29, 2011
Minnesota
M2.5
110 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
398 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 55 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jul 8, 2020
EF4
88 km
8.9 mi
1
Aug 7, 2010
EF4
59 km
5.0 mi
0
May 30, 2022
EF3
89 km
13.3 mi
0
May 17, 1996
EF3
50 km
18.0 mi
0
Jul 18, 1983
EF3
82 km
0.5 mi
0
May 10, 1982
EF3
55 km
15.0 mi
0
Jul 1, 1973
EF3
88 km
0.1 mi
0
Jul 1, 1973
EF3
64 km
0.1 mi
0
Jun 25, 1969
EF3
99 km
1.5 mi
0
May 5, 1964
EF3
54 km
5.2 mi
0
Jul 1, 1952
EF3
54 km
0.5 mi
0
May 30, 2022
EF2
69 km
11.0 mi
0
May 30, 2022
EF2
72 km
6.8 mi
0
May 12, 2022
EF2
96 km
0.4 mi
0
May 12, 2022
EF2
55 km
9.8 mi
0
May 12, 2022
EF2
99 km
2.0 mi
0
Aug 14, 2020
EF2
68 km
13.4 mi
0
Jun 29, 2005
EF2
73 km
8.0 mi
0
Sep 23, 2004
EF2
14 km
2.2 mi
0
Jun 11, 2001
EF2
99 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
63 km
2021
BIESTERFELD
3,481
99 km
2024
DORAN WMA
2,455
78 km
2003
CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE
2,067
81 km
2004
FISH FIRE
1,799
58 km
2003
DANIELSON
1,682
41 km
2005
GRAND MEWS
1,245
55 km
2000
PHEASANT OPENER
1,206
88 km
1998
LEE
1,137
54 km
2016
UNNAMED
1,128
59 km
1995
UNNAMED
1,115
54 km
2003
ANDERSON
1,082
58 km
2019
UNNAMED
1,060
59 km
2021
HARTLEBEN WPA
1,002
56 km
1998
ANDREASEN
1,001
57 km
1992
SPRING LK
1,001
42 km
1990
ANDERSON
988
54 km
1992
MEADOWS
922
99 km
2007
ANDERSON
797
58 km
2006
ANDERSON
764
54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
11°F (-11°C)
0.6 in
Coldest
February
18°F (-8°C)
0.6 in
March
30°F (-1°C)
1.3 in
April
45°F (7°C)
2.2 in
May
58°F (15°C)
2.8 in
June
67°F (20°C)
3.4 in
Wettest
July
71°F (22°C)
3.1 in
Warmest
August
70°F (21°C)
2.6 in
September
60°F (16°C)
2.1 in
October
47°F (9°C)
1.6 in
November
30°F (-1°C)
0.9 in
December
16°F (-9°C)
0.5 in
Driest
Browns Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 11°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and December the driest (0.5").