All Countries
Weather & Climate in Cathay, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Cathay has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. 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 20.8 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 1,582 feet.
Temperature
8°F Jan (-13°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 40.6°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 8°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,582 ft (482 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 122/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.5539°N, 99.4113°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Wells County County |
| Nearest Airport | Devils Lake Regional (DVL) 45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 8.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 44.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
317 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 38 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 11, 2002 | EF4 | 68 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF4 | 99 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 18, 2001 | EF3 | 73 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1968 | EF3 | 85 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1958 | EF3 | 51 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1957 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1952 | EF3 | 20 km | 1.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2018 | EF2 | 60 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2017 | EF2 | 82 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2016 | EF2 | 48 km | 3.3 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2004 | EF2 | 74 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2001 | EF2 | 49 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2001 | EF2 | 51 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2001 | EF2 | 51 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 3, 1999 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1986 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1985 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1976 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1974 | EF2 | 78 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1974 | EF2 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CHICAGOLAKE (4,606 acres, 1994).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1994 | CHICAGOLAKE | 4,606 | 58 km |
| 2008 | GRADER | 1,745 | 32 km |
| 2006 | BROWN WF | 1,430 | 55 km |
| 1985 | CHASE LAKE | 1,215 | 61 km |
| 2018 | EAST JIM LAKE | 1,214 | 59 km |
| 1985 | LAKE ALICE | 1,214 | 89 km |
| 2006 | RICE LAKE 1 | 1,150 | 92 km |
| 2017 | NDAWR FY17 RX G10 11 12 D5 | 1,148 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in |
Cathay has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 8°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.4").