Weather & Climate in Des Lacs, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Des Lacs has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 81% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,935 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.4°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,935 ft (590 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 298/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.2569°N, 101.5637°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ward County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minot International (MOT) 13 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 81.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 9 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M3.3.
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 135 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
198 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 19 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1955 | EF4 | 60 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2010 | EF3 | 77 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 6, 1977 | EF3 | 52 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1974 | EF3 | 96 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1956 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF2 | 71 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 45 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | EF2 | 29 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1982 | EF2 | 36 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 1 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 96 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1969 | EF2 | 99 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1960 | EF2 | 20 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 49 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2024 | EF1 | 64 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF1 | 69 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | EF1 | 76 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2007 | EF1 | 78 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOSTWOOD WILDERNESS 2015 (6,837 acres, 2015).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2015 | LOSTWOOD WILDERNESS 2015 | 6,837 | 79 km |
| 2005 | H RX 05 WILD | 5,644 | 80 km |
| 1986 | WILDERNESS | 5,615 | 80 km |
| 1997 | WILDERNESS | 5,556 | 80 km |
| 2005 | CLEAR LAKE | 5,040 | 56 km |
| 2024 | CHARLSON | 3,055 | 99 km |
| 2000 | RED CROSS | 3,015 | 94 km |
| 2017 | NDJCR WUI RX COUNTY RD 17 2016 | 2,772 | 85 km |
| 2005 | LOSTWOOD NON-NFP | 2,769 | 76 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 94 km |
| 2007 | MUSKRAT LAKE | 2,344 | 81 km |
| 2009 | COUNTY ROAD 17 | 2,291 | 84 km |
| 2006 | HB 35 | 2,164 | 79 km |
| 2023 | NDLWR-HFR-FY23-RX-ASPEN | 2,074 | 76 km |
| 1994 | ASPEN | 1,994 | 84 km |
| 2017 | NDLWR FY17 RX CENTRAL CORE | 1,899 | 77 km |
| 2008 | POOL 326 | 1,805 | 76 km |
| 2016 | LWR WUI RX FESCUE 2016 | 1,802 | 74 km |
| 1993 | KRUSES | 1,802 | 75 km |
| 2006 | RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM | 1,705 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.3 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.0 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.3 in |
Des Lacs has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 14°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.3").