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Weather & Climate in Ellsworth, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ellsworth experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 291 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 29.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.9 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,449 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.0°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,449 ft (442 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 714/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.5206°N, 96.0186°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lyon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joe Foss Field (FSD) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 19.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 79.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very 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 | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very 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: M2.7.
| Jun 30, 2021 | 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa | M2.7 | 107 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
617 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 14 fatalities, 320 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF5 | 31 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 1968 | EF5 | 75 km | 9.1 mi | 9 |
| Jun 25, 2010 | EF4 | 11 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | EF4 | 62 km | 73.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 76 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF4 | 49 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1952 | EF4 | 87 km | 24.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1994 | EF3 | 15 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 86 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 66 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 86 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1985 | EF3 | 43 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 95 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1980 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1978 | EF3 | 53 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1971 | EF3 | 70 km | 11.2 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1971 | EF3 | 34 km | 46.5 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1971 | EF3 | 45 km | 8.6 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1971 | EF3 | 59 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DEWEYS PASTURE (641 acres, 2008).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2008 | DEWEYS PASTURE | 641 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.1 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.8 in |
Ellsworth has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 16°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.6").