Weather & Climate in Clifford, ND

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

Clifford has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 68°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 23.9 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 1,056 feet.

Temperature

6°F Jan (-14°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	39.4°F
	27% below US avg
January Average	6°F (-14°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,056 ft (322 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.4 km²)
Population Density	400/sq mi
Coordinates	47.3482°N, 97.4101°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Traill County County
Nearest Airport	Hector International (FAR) 41 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 23.9"

37% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.15"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	11.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	88.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

518 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 20 fatalities, 216 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 20, 1957	EF5	50 km	52.4 mi	10
Jun 17, 2010	EF4	23 km	17.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2007	EF4	44 km	5.0 mi	1
Jul 18, 2004	EF4	97 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1975	EF4	74 km	5.4 mi	0
Jul 2, 1955	EF4	99 km	9.1 mi	2
Aug 27, 2016	EF3	28 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 2010	EF3	98 km	15.0 mi	1
Aug 26, 2007	EF3	60 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 2001	EF3	86 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1987	EF3	57 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1975	EF3	82 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 16, 1973	EF3	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1973	EF3	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1971	EF3	44 km	13.7 mi	0
Aug 23, 1968	EF3	84 km	8.5 mi	0
Sep 6, 1958	EF3	67 km	2.9 mi	0
Aug 11, 1958	EF3	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 16, 1957	EF3	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 1956	EF3	68 km	5.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OXCART (12,538 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	OXCART	12,538	96 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,420	92 km
2024	4 SQUARE MILE RX	2,320	97 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,092	94 km
2020	GRAVEL PIT	1,468	92 km
2007	UNNAMED	1,270	91 km
2007	FLICKERTAIL	1,239	85 km
2011	NEAL WMA	1,213	84 km
1996	UNNAMED	1,153	91 km
1985	ALICE 02	1,142	66 km
1996	P CHICKEN	1,121	87 km
2006	FULLERS LAKE 06	1,109	16 km
2010	ONSTAD 12	828	88 km
2012	HAM	789	86 km
2007	TNC GR-GOD-3910	749	94 km
2009	TILDEN 27	709	90 km
2008	TRAIN 1	656	95 km
2024	GLACIAL RIDGE CATTAILS RX	579	92 km
1998	FUGLIE	545	88 km
2008	ONSTAD 1	541	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	6°F (-14°C)	0.7 in	Coldest
February	12°F (-11°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	25°F (-4°C)	1.0 in
April	42°F (6°C)	1.5 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.2 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	68°F (20°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	2.7 in
September	58°F (14°C)	1.9 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.7 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	0.8 in
December	12°F (-11°C)	0.6 in

Clifford has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 6°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.5").

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