Weather & Climate in Crookston, MN

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

Crookston has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°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 22.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 872 feet.

Temperature

6°F Jan (-14°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	40.1°F
	26% below US avg
January Average	6°F (-14°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	872 ft (266 m)
Area	5.2 sq mi (13.3 km²)
Population Density	1,443/sq mi
Coordinates	47.7747°N, 96.6064°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Polk County County
Nearest Airport	Thief River Falls Regional (TVF) 28 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.4"

41% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.62"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	36.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	67.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	35.7 / 100
Community Resilience	77.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Tornado History

407 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 91 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 17, 2010	EF4	58 km	17.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2007	EF4	75 km	5.0 mi	1
Aug 27, 2016	EF3	49 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 2010	EF3	35 km	15.0 mi	1
Aug 26, 2007	EF3	99 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1973	EF3	57 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 1958	EF3	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 1956	EF3	98 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 24, 2023	EF2	77 km	6.2 mi	0
Aug 9, 2021	EF2	95 km	2.9 mi	0
Jun 8, 2019	EF2	43 km	3.6 mi	0
Jun 29, 2018	EF2	51 km	15.4 mi	0
Jul 11, 2017	EF2	52 km	11.6 mi	0
Jul 11, 2017	EF2	62 km	12.8 mi	0
Jul 11, 2017	EF2	55 km	22.0 mi	0
Aug 28, 2016	EF2	34 km	9.6 mi	0
Jun 27, 2015	EF2	58 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 2014	EF2	21 km	37.9 mi	0
Jul 22, 2013	EF2	74 km	21.1 mi	0
Aug 10, 2010	EF2	49 km	0.9 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (131,401 acres, 1987).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1987	UNNAMED	131,401	93 km
2003	REINER 36	67,641	92 km
1989	UNNAMED	66,422	92 km
1990	UNNAMED	43,533	96 km
1991	UNNAMED	37,840	88 km
1990	UNNAMED	32,693	89 km
1987	SANDY LAKE	26,617	85 km
1990	UNNAMED	26,345	80 km
1998	RL3	14,882	97 km
2018	2018 HIGHWAY 1 RXB	13,170	98 km
2021	OXCART	12,538	26 km
1987	UNNAMED	10,819	69 km
1994	UNNAMED	8,690	87 km
1990	UNNAMED	8,025	97 km
2016	2016 HIGHWAY 1 RXB	7,744	94 km
2021	RL 005 UNIT 8 AND 9	6,352	96 km
2003	HICKORY ONE	6,152	79 km
2007	HWYONEBURN	6,124	96 km
2002	RED LAKE 468	6,076	89 km
2024	AGASSIZ NWR PROJECT RX	5,562	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	6°F (-14°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	12°F (-11°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	25°F (-4°C)	0.8 in
April	42°F (6°C)	1.5 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.6 in
June	65°F (18°C)	3.6 in	Wettest
July	69°F (21°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
August	68°F (20°C)	2.9 in
September	57°F (14°C)	2.4 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.7 in
November	26°F (-3°C)	0.8 in
December	11°F (-12°C)	0.6 in

Crookston has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 6°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (0.5").

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