All Countries
Weather & Climate in Detroit Lakes, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Detroit Lakes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°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 29.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.6 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 1,344 feet.
Temperature
7°F Jan (-14°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 40.1°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 7°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,344 ft (410 m) |
| Area | 15.2 sq mi (39.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 845/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.8076°N, 95.8466°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Becker County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hector International (FAR) 46 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 37.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 131 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 94 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
393 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 164 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 80 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 98 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 67 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 86 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF4 | 68 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF4 | 94 km | 9.1 mi | 2 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 2008 | EF3 | 66 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 81 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 100 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF3 | 56 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 86 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1956 | EF3 | 73 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 73 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2023 | EF2 | 50 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2022 | EF2 | 13 km | 30.9 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 90 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 97 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 100 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 79 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROTHSAY (3,015 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | ROTHSAY | 3,015 | 51 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 78 km |
| 2010 | NELSON PRAIRIE MIDDLE WPA | 1,779 | 74 km |
| 2009 | DOWNING | 1,506 | 41 km |
| 2012 | JEEP FIRE | 1,437 | 78 km |
| 2012 | SPRING CREEK | 1,413 | 37 km |
| 2000 | 00 14 | 1,377 | 26 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,341 | 76 km |
| 2010 | BEJOU WMA | 1,270 | 73 km |
| 2007 | FLICKERTAIL | 1,239 | 49 km |
| 2011 | NEAL WMA | 1,213 | 56 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,153 | 47 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,026 | 36 km |
| 1999 | HELLIKSEN | 993 | 36 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 931 | 67 km |
| 1992 | MEADOWS | 922 | 64 km |
| 2010 | UNNAMED | 888 | 62 km |
| 2002 | 1000 AC S | 880 | 25 km |
| 2005 | HILLICKSON 05 | 818 | 34 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 807 | 37 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in |
Detroit Lakes has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 7°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (0.5").