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Weather & Climate in Garrison, ND

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

Garrison has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 273 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 18.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,917 feet.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average41.5°F
23% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,917 ft (584 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density1,040/sq mi
Coordinates47.6532°N, 101.4219°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMcLean County County
Nearest AirportMinot International (MOT)
42 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.2"
52% below US avg
Snowfall 42.7"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.19"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score43.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability17.6 / 100
Community Resilience78.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
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)

Tornado History

237 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 47 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 1, 1952 EF4 97 km 48.0 mi 1
May 25, 1978 EF3 100 km 2.5 mi 0
Jun 18, 1956 EF3 49 km 10.6 mi 0
Jun 5, 1956 EF3 19 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 15, 2022 EF2 36 km 2.3 mi 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 35 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 2004 EF2 25 km 8.0 mi 0
Jul 23, 1997 EF2 96 km 0.2 mi 1
Jun 18, 1990 EF2 61 km 6.0 mi 0
May 30, 1985 EF2 100 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 6, 1982 EF2 62 km 10.0 mi 0
May 24, 1975 EF2 50 km 33.7 mi 0
Jun 4, 1974 EF2 67 km 0.3 mi 0
Jun 4, 1971 EF2 95 km 0.5 mi 0
May 20, 1965 EF2 99 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 2, 1960 EF2 73 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 30, 1958 EF2 64 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 17, 1956 EF2 89 km 37.1 mi 0
Aug 3, 1955 EF2 48 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 13, 1954 EF2 35 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

11 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LITTLE SWALLOW (9,886 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 LITTLE SWALLOW 9,886 88 km
1988 MURPHY 8,918 90 km
2012 LITTLE SWALLOW 6,304 92 km
1988 DANKS 2,425 84 km
2007 MUSKRAT LAKE 2,344 84 km
2006 RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM 1,705 21 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,678 52 km
1997 FOXHOLM1 1,187 79 km
2007 ROBINSON SUNFLOWER 1,115 21 km
2009 SQUAW CREEK 1,104 82 km
1999 UNNAMED 1,062 54 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 11°F (-12°C) 0.4 in Coldest
February 16°F (-9°C) 0.4 in Driest
March 27°F (-3°C) 0.6 in
April 40°F (5°C) 1.6 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.1 in
June 62°F (17°C) 3.2 in Wettest
July 70°F (21°C) 2.5 in Warmest
August 67°F (20°C) 1.8 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.7 in
October 45°F (7°C) 0.9 in
November 29°F (-2°C) 0.4 in
December 16°F (-9°C) 0.4 in

Garrison has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 11°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.4").

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