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Weather & Climate in Forbes, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forbes has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. 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 21.8 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 1,558 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 42.2°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,558 ft (475 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 96/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.9425°N, 98.7820°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Brown County County |
| Nearest Airport | Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 38 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| 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: M3.7.
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 150 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
353 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 57 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 93 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2004 | EF4 | 98 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF4 | 40 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2011 | EF3 | 62 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 76 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF3 | 27 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1996 | EF3 | 58 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF3 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1974 | EF3 | 70 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1969 | EF3 | 77 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1966 | EF3 | 54 km | 26.4 mi | 2 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF3 | 24 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1961 | EF3 | 68 km | 156.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 4, 2020 | EF2 | 31 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 67 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 93 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2010 | EF2 | 95 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 48 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROHRBACH (2,887 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | ROHRBACH | 2,887 | 86 km |
| 2003 | JOEL BERTSCH 2 | 1,460 | 54 km |
| 2004 | TACOMA PARK PLACE | 1,336 | 62 km |
| 2004 | ALLEN STUECKLE | 1,330 | 69 km |
| 2016 | SLR 2016 RX MICHELL | 1,242 | 46 km |
| 2000 | PHEASANT OPENER | 1,206 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
Forbes has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 11°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and December the driest (0.5").