Weather & Climate in Fortuna, ND

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

Fortuna has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (4°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 274 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 15.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.5 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 2,206 feet.

Temperature

7°F Jan (-14°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	38.4°F
	29% below US avg
January Average	7°F (-14°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	274 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,206 ft (672 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density	73/sq mi
Coordinates	48.9097°N, 103.7791°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Divide County County
Nearest Airport	Williston Basin International (XWA) 45 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 15.3"

60% below US avg

Snowfall 36.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.52"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability	63.7 / 100
Community Resilience	17.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.

Feb 25, 2014	23 km N of Brockton, Montana	M3.8	101 km	5 km
Jul 29, 1998	16 km WNW of Froid, Montana	M3.8	91 km	5 km
Nov 11, 1998	10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota	M3.5	44 km	5 km
Sep 28, 2012	22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota	M3.3	101 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

66 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 2 fatalities, 1 injury.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 26, 2010	EF3	94 km	18.0 mi	2
Jul 11, 1974	EF3	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1950	EF3	1 km	23.7 mi	0
Jun 27, 1982	EF2	85 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 5, 1976	EF2	82 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1971	EF2	70 km	10.0 mi	0
Sep 21, 1969	EF2	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 1953	EF2	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 2018	EF1	57 km	2.1 mi	0
Jul 8, 2009	EF1	82 km	9.7 mi	0
Jun 11, 2007	EF1	25 km	3.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 2003	EF1	35 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1999	EF1	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1990	EF1	13 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 30, 1984	EF1	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 27, 1975	EF1	74 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 5, 1969	EF1	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 5, 1968	EF1	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 7, 1965	EF1	94 km	2.5 mi	0
Aug 18, 1962	EF1	2 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 acres, 2024).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2024	WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE	67,150	68 km
1988	BAINVILLE	12,790	96 km
2016	FLAGSTAFF HILL	9,129	86 km
1999	OUTLOOK	6,292	74 km
1999	ANTELOPE	5,118	55 km
2021	13 MILE FIRE	2,585	67 km
2007	W-RX-F SANDHILLS SUB UNIT B	2,381	67 km
2018	MTMLR-FY18-RX-WUI DEEP LAKE	2,088	65 km
2021	HIGHWAY 16 NORTH	2,069	94 km
2022	MTMLR-FY22-RX-BRIDGERMAN	1,852	64 km
2008	NORTH SOUTH LAKE CREEK SU A	1,367	58 km
2011	W-RX-F EAST ML BRIGERMANN	1,197	66 km
1992	N ELBOW L	1,189	98 km
1995	N ELBOW LAKE	1,166	98 km
1986	N ELBOW	1,164	98 km
1998	N ELBOW LAKE	1,160	98 km
2009	NORTH ELBOW LAKE N 1 2	1,148	98 km
2023	MTMLR-HFR-FY23-RX	1,128	83 km
2007	H-RX-F BRIGERMANN 2007	1,043	65 km
2022	MTMLR-FY22-RX-NORTHSHORE	1,015	66 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	7°F (-14°C)	0.4 in	Coldest
February	14°F (-10°C)	0.4 in	Driest
March	26°F (-3°C)	0.6 in
April	41°F (5°C)	1.1 in
May	54°F (12°C)	2.1 in
June	64°F (18°C)	2.5 in	Wettest
July	67°F (19°C)	2.3 in
August	67°F (20°C)	1.8 in	Warmest
September	56°F (13°C)	1.5 in
October	43°F (6°C)	0.8 in
November	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in
December	12°F (-11°C)	0.4 in

Fortuna has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 7°F in January to 67°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 14.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.5") and February the driest (0.4").

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