All Countries
Weather & Climate in Elgin, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Elgin has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 2,353 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.2°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,353 ft (717 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 798/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.4015°N, 101.8474°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Grant County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 72.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 30.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
204 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 8 fatalities, 71 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1953 | EF5 | 90 km | 14.8 mi | 2 |
| Jul 4, 1978 | EF4 | 3 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Jun 29, 1975 | EF4 | 87 km | 68.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | EF3 | 90 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1981 | EF3 | 66 km | 23.9 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1978 | EF3 | 87 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1956 | EF3 | 100 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2011 | EF2 | 14 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1990 | EF2 | 82 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1978 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1975 | EF2 | 97 km | 33.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1969 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF2 | 27 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF2 | 99 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | EF1 | 82 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2019 | EF1 | 38 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 2016 | EF1 | 44 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: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | TENBROOK | 30,588 | 61 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 16,866 | 65 km |
| 2013 | PAUTRE | 11,733 | 80 km |
| 2006 | STONE MAN CHURCH | 10,389 | 89 km |
| 2006 | LUND | 9,425 | 85 km |
| 2006 | BLACK HORSE CREEK | 8,000 | 91 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 7,593 | 78 km |
| 2003 | MCCLEAN BOTTOMS | 6,421 | 98 km |
| 1999 | BULLHEAD | 5,606 | 95 km |
| 2022 | HWY31 AND 101ST WEST | 4,879 | 60 km |
| 2015 | CANNON BALL | 3,068 | 96 km |
| 2000 | PASTURE 9 BURN | 2,768 | 84 km |
| 2012 | MCINTOSH | 2,653 | 61 km |
| 2004 | FISCHER | 2,578 | 96 km |
| 2012 | CORNSTALK | 2,561 | 92 km |
| 2007 | HARRIS | 2,369 | 83 km |
| 2000 | NEUGERFIRE | 2,150 | 85 km |
| 2024 | STATELINE | 2,123 | 94 km |
| 2003 | 24 | 2,119 | 96 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 2,050 | 71 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in |
Elgin has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 14°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").