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Weather & Climate in Ely, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ely has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°F. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,448 feet.
Temperature
6°F Jan (-14°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 38.6°F |
| 29% below US avg | |
| January Average | 6°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,448 ft (441 m) |
| Area | 2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,109/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.9056°N, 91.8507°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lake County County |
| Nearest Airport | Range Regional (HIB) 58 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 33.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 43.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | No Rating |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | 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.
| Mar 19, 2018 | 75 km ESE of Atikokan, Canada | M2.7 | 116 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
37 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 17 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 34 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 23 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 98 km | 17.2 mi | 2 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 81 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF2 | 35 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF2 | 7 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 1959 | EF2 | 92 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2019 | EF1 | 75 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF1 | 67 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2016 | EF1 | 96 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1988 | EF1 | 27 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1987 | EF1 | 61 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1980 | EF1 | 49 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1978 | EF1 | 5 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1976 | EF1 | 96 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Apr 14, 1976 | EF1 | 22 km | 20.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1974 | EF1 | 82 km | 34.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 1971 | EF1 | 75 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1971 | EF1 | 76 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PAGAMI CREEK (85,116 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | PAGAMI CREEK | 85,116 | 42 km |
| 2007 | HAM LAKE | 70,606 | 86 km |
| 2021 | GREENWOOD | 28,255 | 41 km |
| 2006 | CAVITY LAKE | 26,812 | 71 km |
| 1995 | SAG CORRIDOR | 13,842 | 87 km |
| 2005 | WEST ZONE RX BURN | 9,523 | 30 km |
| 1996 | WHITEFEATHER LAKE | 4,286 | 28 km |
| 1996 | SOUTH TEMPERANCE | 4,192 | 84 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 4,053 | 39 km |
| 2006 | FAMINE LAKE | 4,012 | 83 km |
| 1995 | LITTLE GABBRO | 3,145 | 21 km |
| 2010 | KEK SPIDER 302 | 3,039 | 52 km |
| 2006 | TURTLE LAKE | 2,167 | 25 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,874 | 54 km |
| 2006 | REDEYE | 1,613 | 97 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 1,581 | 43 km |
| 2021 | JOHN EK | 1,421 | 63 km |
| 1995 | WINCHELL | 1,226 | 93 km |
| 2005 | ALPINE LAKE | 1,169 | 72 km |
| 2010 | MEEDS LAKE | 1,144 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°F (-14°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 36°F (2°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 3.7 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 2.7 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 12°F (-11°C) | 1.0 in |
Ely has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 6°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (0.8").