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Weather & Climate in Fort Ripley, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Ripley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°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 27.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 52.8 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 1,156 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 44.9°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,156 ft (352 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 49/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.1665°N, 94.3650°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Morrison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Brainerd Lakes Regional (BRD) 20 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 66.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.1.
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 92 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
276 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 21 fatalities, 214 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 68 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 83 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF4 | 69 km | 32.3 mi | 12 |
| Jun 11, 1966 | EF4 | 52 km | 72.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 74 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1997 | EF3 | 27 km | 17.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 5, 1991 | EF3 | 34 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1980 | EF3 | 72 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 26, 1977 | EF3 | 23 km | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1973 | EF3 | 37 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 68 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1968 | EF3 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 73 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2024 | EF2 | 59 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2024 | EF2 | 51 km | 14.7 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 94 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 45 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 57 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF2 | 88 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (9,055 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 9,055 | 8 km |
| 2009 | CENTER TANK RANGE | 6,131 | 6 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 4 | 5,887 | 87 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 37 38 39 A | 4,879 | 93 km |
| 1998 | UNITS 1617 | 4,649 | 89 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,475 | 6 km |
| 2005 | RX HFR 05 | 4,253 | 89 km |
| 2009 | BU9 | 4,112 | 86 km |
| 2007 | WUI 07 - UNIT 36 | 4,025 | 95 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,642 | 30 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 25 | 3,412 | 94 km |
| 2009 | BU11 | 3,242 | 89 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 2,998 | 92 km |
| 1997 | BIG | 2,987 | 92 km |
| 2009 | HENDRICKSON IMPACT AREA | 2,757 | 11 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 34 33 W | 2,637 | 94 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 8E RX | 2,551 | 88 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 2,512 | 93 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 2,486 | 98 km |
| 1992 | SHARPTAIL | 2,288 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in |
Fort Ripley has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 14°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and February the driest (0.6").