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Weather & Climate in Forest Lake, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Forest Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 270 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 33.1 inches. The area receives 51.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 954 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 954 ft (291 m) |
| Area | 35.5 sq mi (92.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 677/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.2508°N, 92.9669°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Washington County County |
| Nearest Airport | New Richmond Regional (RNH) 22 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 83.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Very High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M2.8.
| Apr 25, 2017 | Near Mankato, Minnesota | M2.8 | 144 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
422 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 59 fatalities, 1,004 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1958 | EF5 | 63 km | 33.7 mi | 21 |
| Jul 3, 1983 | EF4 | 28 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 44 km | 17.3 mi | 6 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 81 km | 12.3 mi | 3 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 35 km | 6.8 mi | 3 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 63 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1957 | EF4 | 37 km | 9.2 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 2017 | EF3 | 63 km | 82.5 mi | 1 |
| May 25, 2008 | EF3 | 10 km | 6.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 2001 | EF3 | 64 km | 34.0 mi | 2 |
| Jul 1, 1997 | EF3 | 84 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1987 | EF3 | 78 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1987 | EF3 | 42 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 26, 1984 | EF3 | 33 km | 5.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | EF3 | 54 km | 16.2 mi | 1 |
| Jul 30, 1977 | EF3 | 59 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1958 | EF3 | 11 km | 59.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1952 | EF3 | 32 km | 18.2 mi | 2 |
| Sep 12, 1951 | EF3 | 98 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1951 | EF3 | 55 km | 11.6 mi | 5 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNIT 4 (5,887 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | UNIT 4 | 5,887 | 69 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 37 38 39 A | 4,879 | 61 km |
| 1998 | UNITS 1617 | 4,649 | 65 km |
| 2005 | RX HFR 05 | 4,253 | 65 km |
| 2009 | BU9 | 4,112 | 70 km |
| 2007 | WUI 07 - UNIT 36 | 4,025 | 60 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 25 | 3,412 | 61 km |
| 2009 | BU11 | 3,242 | 67 km |
| 1997 | BIG | 2,987 | 63 km |
| 2009 | UNNAMED | 2,904 | 11 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 34 33 W | 2,637 | 62 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 8E RX | 2,551 | 67 km |
| 1992 | SHARPTAIL | 2,288 | 62 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 2,243 | 94 km |
| 2024 | RX-86_FY23 | 2,187 | 76 km |
| 2010 | WUI 10 UNIT D | 2,042 | 62 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,906 | 60 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,850 | 58 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 4 | 1,732 | 69 km |
| 2009 | UNIT 23 24 26 | 1,644 | 64 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 4.2 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 1.1 in |
Forest Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (0.8").