Weather & Climate in Crookston, NE
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Crookston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 20.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 2,674 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
76°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.1°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 76°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,674 ft (815 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 105/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.9263°N, 100.7534°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Todd County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 36.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
20 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.6 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Aug 19, 2015 | 13 km S of Halsey, Nebraska | M3.6 | 134 km | 15 km |
| Aug 26, 1991 | 15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.4 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 60 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 114 km | 9 km |
| Apr 11, 2016 | 11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.2 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2025 | 4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.0 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Sep 30, 1990 | 29 km SE of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.0 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 138 km | 9 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2024 | 11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska | M2.6 | 82 km | 11 km |
| Aug 6, 2012 | 21 km WNW of Mullen, Nebraska | M2.5 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 129 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
222 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 18 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 8, 1965 | EF5 | 85 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2011 | EF3 | 60 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 18, 1977 | EF3 | 75 km | 18.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1963 | EF3 | 98 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1962 | EF3 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 68 km | 53.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2016 | EF2 | 29 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 88 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 68 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF2 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2003 | EF2 | 75 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 96 km | 19.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF2 | 87 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1979 | EF2 | 28 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1979 | EF2 | 90 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1977 | EF2 | 69 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1975 | EF2 | 18 km | 20.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1974 | EF2 | 26 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1973 | EF2 | 37 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (77,236 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 77,236 | 94 km |
| 2012 | REGION 24 COMPLEX | 66,349 | 55 km |
| 2000 | POWDER HORN | 48,608 | 41 km |
| 2012 | LONGHORN COMPLEX | 41,443 | 39 km |
| 1988 | LIGHTNING | 18,426 | 41 km |
| 2000 | VAL COMP | 15,513 | 50 km |
| 2024 | POWER DAM ROAD | 15,047 | 84 km |
| 2012 | CROOKSTON | 14,962 | 10 km |
| 2000 | HASNOHORSE | 13,420 | 100 km |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 80 km |
| 1987 | BIG FIRE | 9,107 | 44 km |
| 1990 | GOOSECREEK | 8,408 | 59 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 7,980 | 83 km |
| 2023 | MCCANN | 7,110 | 20 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,910 | 98 km |
| 2021 | HACKBERRY SOUTH RX | 6,463 | 43 km |
| 2000 | PONY | 5,982 | 56 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 5,014 | 36 km |
| 2017 | WANBLEE TIMBER | 4,982 | 99 km |
| 1998 | TNC | 4,683 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 38°F (3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 76°F (24°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 2.0 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in |
Crookston has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 25°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.3").