Weather & Climate in Fort Yates, ND

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

Fort Yates has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,632 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.2°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	13°F (-10°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	253 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,632 ft (497 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²)
Population Density	2,367/sq mi
Coordinates	46.0866°N, 100.6301°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Emmons County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.80"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	44.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	62.2 / 100
Community Resilience	55.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively 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: M3.0.

Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	148 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

218 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 4 fatalities, 40 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	41 km	14.8 mi	2
May 22, 2010	EF4	99 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	87 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	33 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1981	EF3	81 km	23.9 mi	0
May 25, 1978	EF3	85 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	70 km	8.8 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1966	EF3	90 km	26.4 mi	2
Jul 1, 1955	EF3	41 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF2	54 km	5.4 mi	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	73 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1999	EF2	100 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF2	32 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF2	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF2	86 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1974	EF2	58 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 14, 1970	EF2	66 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 1969	EF2	43 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 1965	EF2	44 km	4.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	TENBROOK	30,588	42 km
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	94 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,487	62 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	65 km
2000	TRIBLE	9,718	25 km
2006	LUND	9,425	15 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	24 km
2003	MCCLEAN BOTTOMS	6,421	59 km
1999	BULLHEAD	5,606	54 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	53 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	69 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	29 km
2006	1804	2,778	64 km
2011	MOUND CITY	2,755	50 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	62 km
2004	FISCHER	2,578	25 km
2012	CORNSTALK	2,561	23 km
2000	NEUGERFIRE	2,150	25 km
2000	FTMANUEL	2,124	25 km
2024	STATELINE	2,123	23 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	13°F (-10°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	19°F (-7°C)	0.3 in
March	29°F (-2°C)	0.8 in
April	44°F (6°C)	1.6 in
May	56°F (14°C)	2.3 in
June	66°F (19°C)	2.8 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.7 in
September	60°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.2 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
December	17°F (-8°C)	0.3 in

Fort Yates has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.8") and January the driest (0.3").

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