Weather & Climate in Forest River, ND

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Forest River has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. The area gets 200 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 862 feet.

Temperature

8°F Jan (-14°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	42.0°F
	22% below US avg
January Average	8°F (-14°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	200 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	862 ft (263 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	278/sq mi
Coordinates	48.2166°N, 97.4703°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Walsh County County
Nearest Airport	Grand Forks International (GFK) 23 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.23"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	29.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	13.6 / 100
Community Resilience	48.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

460 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 51 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 17, 2010	EF4	76 km	17.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2007	EF4	56 km	5.0 mi	1
Jun 6, 1999	EF4	48 km	8.0 mi	0
Aug 27, 2016	EF3	85 km	3.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2007	EF3	61 km	6.0 mi	0
May 19, 2004	EF3	83 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 2001	EF3	94 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1987	EF3	78 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1973	EF3	99 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1971	EF3	85 km	13.7 mi	0
Aug 11, 1958	EF3	41 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 9, 2021	EF2	68 km	2.9 mi	0
Jul 11, 2017	EF2	100 km	11.6 mi	0
Jul 11, 2017	EF2	65 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 2017	EF2	86 km	18.0 mi	0
Jun 27, 2015	EF2	56 km	3.0 mi	0
Sep 19, 2014	EF2	79 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 2014	EF2	73 km	37.9 mi	0
Aug 10, 2010	EF2	61 km	0.9 mi	0
Jun 17, 2010	EF2	97 km	3.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (17,778 acres, 1988).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
1988	UNNAMED	17,778	98 km
2000	UNNAMED	6,057	98 km
2012	COUNTY 27 FIRE	4,653	78 km
2000	UNNAMED	3,224	97 km
2007	UNNAMED	2,810	99 km
2007	JUPITER FIRE	2,389	80 km
1987	UNNAMED	2,181	91 km
2021	BEACHES LAKE	1,946	100 km
2003	DEVILS PLAYGROUND	1,879	83 km
2007	UNNAMED	1,764	78 km
2003	FLUFFERS FIRE	1,755	96 km
2012	VIKING FIRE	1,698	85 km
1988	UNNAMED	1,695	78 km
2003	MCKINLEY 2	1,653	98 km
2010	BEACHES LAKE FIRE	1,379	97 km
2007	LINCOLN	1,369	77 km
2018	CLOW	1,358	94 km
2021	DAHL	1,312	94 km
2004	UNNAMED	1,312	95 km
2012	WATER TOWER FIRE	1,286	92 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	8°F (-14°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	11°F (-12°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	24°F (-5°C)	0.8 in
April	41°F (5°C)	1.3 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.3 in
June	65°F (19°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	71°F (22°C)	2.8 in	Warmest
August	67°F (20°C)	2.4 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.9 in
October	44°F (7°C)	1.5 in
November	26°F (-4°C)	0.8 in
December	10°F (-12°C)	0.5 in

Forest River has a seasonal temperature swing of 64°F / from 8°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.5").

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