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Weather & Climate in Garfield, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Garfield has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°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 24.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,429 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.5°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,429 ft (436 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 364/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.9376°N, 95.4985°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Douglas County County |
| Nearest Airport | Brainerd Lakes Regional (BRD) 73 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 68 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 6 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
428 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 171 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 38 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 58 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 17 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 29 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 76 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1977 | EF3 | 90 km | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 34 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 69 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 86 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 48 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 39 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 68 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 25 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 77 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 58 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF2 | 45 km | 13.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF2 | 39 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 2015 | EF2 | 59 km | 12.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 2014 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.7 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 | 89 km |
| 2004 | LOUISBURGRADE | 6,487 | 99 km |
| 2009 | CENTER TANK RANGE | 6,131 | 87 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,475 | 87 km |
| 2003 | ROTHSAY | 3,015 | 93 km |
| 2009 | HENDRICKSON IMPACT AREA | 2,757 | 93 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 62 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 97 km |
| 2009 | EAST TANK RANGE | 1,801 | 85 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,655 | 100 km |
| 2012 | JEEP FIRE | 1,437 | 86 km |
| 1998 | WEST SKUNK | 1,129 | 99 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 1 | 1,073 | 96 km |
| 1992 | MEADOWS | 922 | 97 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 880 | 77 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 770 | 72 km |
| 2009 | WEST TANK RANGE | 727 | 84 km |
| 2010 | WALDEN | 717 | 48 km |
| 2000 | SVOR | 661 | 63 km |
| 2007 | HAUGVEDT WPA | 630 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in |
Garfield has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 11°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (0.6").