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Weather & Climate in Golden Valley, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Golden Valley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 71°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 16.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,941 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 43.2°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,941 ft (592 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 321/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.2903°N, 102.0653°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dunn County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 49 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 41.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| 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: M3.3.
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 128 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
203 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 54 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 4, 1978 | EF4 | 100 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | EF3 | 75 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 30, 1981 | EF3 | 94 km | 23.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1956 | EF3 | 20 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1956 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF2 | 97 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 57 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 58 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 73 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1990 | EF2 | 41 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1978 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1976 | EF2 | 95 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1975 | EF2 | 22 km | 33.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 56 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1955 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF2 | 92 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2020 | EF1 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LITTLE SWALLOW (9,886 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 9,886 | 49 km |
| 1988 | MURPHY | 8,918 | 58 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 92 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 6,304 | 53 km |
| 2024 | CHARLSON | 3,055 | 99 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 60 km |
| 2007 | MUSKRAT LAKE | 2,344 | 73 km |
| 2000 | TALKINGTON 1 | 2,204 | 97 km |
| 2006 | RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM | 1,705 | 52 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,678 | 39 km |
| 2007 | ROBINSON SUNFLOWER | 1,115 | 61 km |
| 2009 | SQUAW CREEK | 1,104 | 51 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,062 | 29 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in |
Golden Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.4").