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Weather & Climate in Columbus, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Columbus has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. 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 28.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 902 feet.
Temperature
12°F Jan (-11°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.6°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 12°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 902 ft (275 m) |
| Area | 47.7 sq mi (123.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 94/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.2549°N, 93.1077°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Anoka County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minneapolis-St Paul International/Wold-Chamberlain (MSP) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 88.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.8.
| Apr 25, 2017 | Near Mankato, Minnesota | M2.8 | 138 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
441 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 61 fatalities, 1,209 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF5 | 73 km | 33.7 mi | 21 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 17 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 56 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 73 km | 12.3 mi | 3 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 37 km | 17.3 mi | 6 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 28 km | 6.8 mi | 3 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 41 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 74 km | 82.5 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2008 | EF3 | 10 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 2001 | EF3 | 68 km | 34.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 1, 1997 | EF3 | 73 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 92 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | EF3 | 82 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1987 | EF3 | 31 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 28 km | 5.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | EF3 | 50 km | 16.2 mi | 1 |
| Sep 3, 1980 | EF3 | 92 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF3 | 70 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1958 | EF3 | 17 km | 59.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1952 | EF3 | 42 km | 18.2 mi | 2 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 4 (5,887 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | UNIT 4 | 5,887 | 59 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 37 38 39 A | 4,879 | 51 km |
| 1998 | UNITS 1617 | 4,649 | 55 km |
| 2005 | RX HFR 05 | 4,253 | 55 km |
| 2009 | BU9 | 4,112 | 60 km |
| 2007 | WUI 07 - UNIT 36 | 4,025 | 50 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 25 | 3,412 | 51 km |
| 2009 | BU11 | 3,242 | 57 km |
| 1997 | BIG | 2,987 | 53 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,904 | 1 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 34 33 W | 2,637 | 52 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 8E RX | 2,551 | 57 km |
| 1992 | SHARPTAIL | 2,288 | 52 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 2,243 | 86 km |
| 2024 | RX-86_FY23 | 2,187 | 81 km |
| 2010 | WUI 10 UNIT D | 2,042 | 51 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,906 | 50 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,850 | 61 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 4 | 1,732 | 59 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 23 24 26 | 1,644 | 53 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.0 in |
Columbus has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (0.8").