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Weather & Climate in Fort Ransom, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Ransom has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 73°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 23.6 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 1,136 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.1°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,136 ft (346 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 361/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.5245°N, 97.9311°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ransom County County |
| Nearest Airport | Jamestown Regional (JMS) 45 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 13.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 116 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
407 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 12 fatalities, 153 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 20, 1957 | EF5 | 61 km | 52.4 mi | 10 |
| Jul 18, 2004 | EF4 | 45 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF4 | 99 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF4 | 71 km | 9.1 mi | 2 |
| Jul 17, 2011 | EF3 | 54 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1974 | EF3 | 41 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1973 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1968 | EF3 | 79 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF3 | 79 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 1958 | EF3 | 42 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1957 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1956 | EF3 | 96 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 94 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 91 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1950 | EF3 | 31 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 46 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2011 | EF2 | 77 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2011 | EF2 | 86 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | BIESTERFELD | 3,481 | 44 km |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 93 km |
| 2003 | OLERUD | 1,275 | 49 km |
| 2016 | SLR 2016 RX MICHELL | 1,242 | 73 km |
| 1985 | ALICE 02 | 1,142 | 42 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 88 km |
| 2006 | FULLERS LAKE 06 | 1,109 | 88 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 88 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.5 in |
Fort Ransom has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 13°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.4").