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Weather & Climate in Center, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Center has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 273 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 19.0 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 1,972 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.6°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,972 ft (601 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,063/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.1149°N, 101.2977°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Oliver County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.1 / 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 Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
233 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 8 fatalities, 99 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1953 | EF5 | 88 km | 14.8 mi | 2 |
| Jul 4, 1978 | EF4 | 91 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF4 | 61 km | 48.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 30, 1981 | EF3 | 45 km | 23.9 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1978 | EF3 | 44 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1956 | EF3 | 43 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1956 | EF3 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF2 | 76 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 26 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 84 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1990 | EF2 | 21 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1985 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1975 | EF2 | 40 km | 33.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1957 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1956 | EF2 | 43 km | 37.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1955 | EF2 | 33 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF1 | 82 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2020 | EF1 | 26 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: MCCLEAN BOTTOMS (6,421 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | MCCLEAN BOTTOMS | 6,421 | 77 km |
| 2006 | RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM | 1,705 | 40 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,678 | 85 km |
| 2002 | BISRURAL2 | 1,649 | 75 km |
| 1993 | UNNAMED | 1,492 | 74 km |
| 2002 | BALE II | 1,179 | 97 km |
| 1999 | SOLEN | 1,155 | 93 km |
| 2006 | RICE LAKE 1 | 1,150 | 77 km |
| 2007 | ROBINSON SUNFLOWER | 1,115 | 41 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,062 | 32 km |
| 2002 | UNNAMED | 1,049 | 70 km |
| 2005 | KIMBALL BOTTOMS FIRE | 1,028 | 67 km |
| 2000 | MAC2 | 1,018 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.3 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 28°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in |
Center has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 14°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").