Weather & Climate in Cavalier, ND

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Cavalier has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 4°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. The area gets 269 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 20.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 888 feet.

Temperature

4°F Jan (-15°C) 67°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	38.2°F
	29% below US avg
January Average	4°F (-15°C)
July Average	67°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	888 ft (271 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density	1,516/sq mi
Coordinates	48.7940°N, 97.6226°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Pembina County County
Nearest Airport	Grand Forks International (GFK) 62 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.0"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 39.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.58"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	20.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	58.4 / 100
Community Resilience	31.9 / 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 Moderate
Lightning	Relatively 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

243 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 18 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 6, 1999	EF4	25 km	8.0 mi	0
May 19, 2004	EF3	42 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 9, 2017	EF2	43 km	18.0 mi	0
Sep 19, 2014	EF2	45 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 2005	EF2	48 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 2005	EF2	43 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 2, 2005	EF2	37 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 2005	EF2	41 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 23, 2005	EF2	53 km	1.0 mi	0
May 19, 2004	EF2	16 km	0.7 mi	0
Jul 14, 1999	EF2	75 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 6, 1999	EF2	65 km	3.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 1999	EF2	72 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 24, 1985	EF2	45 km	0.5 mi	0
May 26, 1978	EF2	44 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 1977	EF2	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1971	EF2	93 km	8.9 mi	0
Jun 21, 1971	EF2	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 6, 1959	EF2	65 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 30, 1955	EF2	86 km	4.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JUNEBERRY 3 (29,455 acres, 2011).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2011	JUNEBERRY 3	29,455	97 km
1988	UNNAMED	17,778	79 km
2003	CARIBOU	16,184	81 km
1988	UNNAMED	11,927	79 km
2003	UNNAMED	11,544	78 km
2018	NORTH COUNTY ROAD 7	9,471	87 km
2000	UNNAMED	9,194	80 km
2006	UNNAMED	6,964	91 km
2000	UNNAMED	6,057	80 km
1985	UNNAMED	5,891	77 km
2008	UNNAMED	4,724	83 km
2012	COUNTY 27 FIRE	4,653	84 km
2008	UNNAMED	3,624	87 km
1999	UNNAMED	3,536	74 km
2002	HONEY JOE	3,514	97 km
1999	UNNAMED	3,351	81 km
2000	UNNAMED	3,224	75 km
2015	MCKINLEY FIRE	2,930	85 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,810	69 km
2007	JUPITER FIRE	2,389	68 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	4°F (-15°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	10°F (-12°C)	0.6 in	Driest
March	23°F (-5°C)	0.8 in
April	40°F (5°C)	1.1 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.4 in
June	64°F (18°C)	3.6 in	Wettest
July	67°F (20°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	2.6 in
September	56°F (14°C)	1.8 in
October	43°F (6°C)	1.5 in
November	24°F (-4°C)	0.9 in
December	9°F (-13°C)	0.6 in

Cavalier has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 4°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (0.6").

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