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Weather & Climate in Dickinson, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Dickinson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 273 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 17.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 2,502 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.0°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,502 ft (763 m) |
| Area | 10.0 sq mi (26.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,910/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.8928°N, 102.7960°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Stark County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 6 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 37.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 63.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| 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
2 earthquakes (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 |
| May 6, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana | M2.6 | 144 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
166 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 58 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 4, 1978 | EF4 | 89 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Jun 29, 1975 | EF4 | 43 km | 68.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | EF3 | 4 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1956 | EF3 | 88 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF3 | 93 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2014 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2011 | EF2 | 96 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2001 | EF2 | 84 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1990 | EF2 | 96 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1978 | EF2 | 22 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1976 | EF2 | 31 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1975 | EF2 | 88 km | 33.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1957 | EF2 | 36 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF2 | 21 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2019 | EF1 | 65 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2018 | EF1 | 65 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 71 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LITTLE SWALLOW (9,886 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 9,886 | 75 km |
| 1988 | MURPHY | 8,918 | 84 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 89 km |
| 2018 | 18 DONUT HOLE | 7,838 | 49 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 6,304 | 75 km |
| 1988 | MIKES CREEK | 5,309 | 54 km |
| 2017 | MAGPIE FIRE | 5,056 | 70 km |
| 2021 | ROOSEVELT CREEK | 4,608 | 67 km |
| 2021 | HORSE PASTURE | 4,431 | 91 km |
| 2004 | DEEP CREEK | 4,180 | 70 km |
| 2012 | DEEP CREEK 2 | 3,500 | 96 km |
| 1988 | CINNAMON CREEK | 3,204 | 90 km |
| 2021 | ELKHORN | 2,784 | 74 km |
| 2008 | BROWN | 2,519 | 92 km |
| 2014 | 14 BEEF CORRAL WASH | 2,471 | 51 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 94 km |
| 1988 | FANTAIL | 2,341 | 75 km |
| 2021 | 744 | 2,268 | 58 km |
| 2000 | TALKINGTON 1 | 2,204 | 35 km |
| 2004 | MAGPIE CAMP | 2,114 | 69 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in |
Dickinson has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 15°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.4").