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Weather & Climate in Cannon Ball, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cannon Ball has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,839 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-10°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.2°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,839 ft (561 m) |
| Area | 96.7 sq mi (250.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 10/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.3237°N, 100.6294°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Emmons County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 32 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 62.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 55.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
239 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 10 fatalities, 106 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1953 | EF5 | 14 km | 14.8 mi | 2 |
| Jul 4, 1978 | EF4 | 96 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF4 | 81 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 52 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1981 | EF3 | 59 km | 23.9 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1978 | EF3 | 60 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 94 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1966 | EF3 | 96 km | 26.4 mi | 2 |
| Jul 1, 1955 | EF3 | 26 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | EF2 | 77 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 65 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2011 | EF2 | 99 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 1999 | EF2 | 87 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF2 | 79 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1983 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 1982 | EF2 | 94 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1974 | EF2 | 42 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 | 47 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,487 | 89 km |
| 2006 | STONE MAN CHURCH | 10,389 | 84 km |
| 2000 | TRIBLE | 9,718 | 51 km |
| 2006 | LUND | 9,425 | 28 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 7,593 | 20 km |
| 2003 | MCCLEAN BOTTOMS | 6,421 | 32 km |
| 1999 | BULLHEAD | 5,606 | 75 km |
| 2022 | HWY31 AND 101ST WEST | 4,879 | 63 km |
| 2006 | B WARD 1 | 3,325 | 91 km |
| 2015 | CANNON BALL | 3,068 | 3 km |
| 2006 | 1804 | 2,778 | 89 km |
| 2011 | MOUND CITY | 2,755 | 71 km |
| 2012 | MCINTOSH | 2,653 | 73 km |
| 2004 | FISCHER | 2,578 | 3 km |
| 2012 | CORNSTALK | 2,561 | 45 km |
| 2000 | NEUGERFIRE | 2,150 | 10 km |
| 2000 | FTMANUEL | 2,124 | 50 km |
| 2024 | STATELINE | 2,123 | 46 km |
| 2003 | 24 | 2,119 | 33 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-10°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 2.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.3 in |
Cannon Ball has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.3").