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Weather & Climate in Grand Forks AFB, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Grand Forks AFB has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. 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 21.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.4 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 900 feet.
Temperature
6°F Jan (-14°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 39.8°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 6°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 900 ft (274 m) |
| Area | 7.5 sq mi (19.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 276/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.9557°N, 97.3913°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Grand Forks County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grand Forks International (GFK) 10 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
475 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 48 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 47 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2007 | EF4 | 31 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1999 | EF4 | 77 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2016 | EF3 | 56 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF3 | 97 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 26, 2007 | EF3 | 46 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2001 | EF3 | 85 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1987 | EF3 | 61 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1973 | EF3 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1971 | EF3 | 63 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1958 | EF3 | 16 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1957 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2021 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2018 | EF2 | 100 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 36 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 71 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | EF2 | 89 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2015 | EF2 | 26 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2014 | EF2 | 49 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2010 | EF2 | 31 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OXCART (12,538 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | OXCART | 12,538 | 88 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY 27 FIRE | 4,653 | 92 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,420 | 85 km |
| 2007 | JUPITER FIRE | 2,389 | 100 km |
| 2024 | 4 SQUARE MILE RX | 2,320 | 90 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,092 | 90 km |
| 2003 | DEVILS PLAYGROUND | 1,879 | 98 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,764 | 91 km |
| 2012 | VIKING FIRE | 1,698 | 85 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,695 | 91 km |
| 2020 | GRAVEL PIT | 1,468 | 85 km |
| 2007 | LINCOLN | 1,369 | 87 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,270 | 86 km |
| 2003 | CLIPPED WING | 1,270 | 92 km |
| 1996 | P CHICKEN | 1,121 | 20 km |
| 2006 | FULLERS LAKE 06 | 1,109 | 76 km |
| 2010 | ONSTAD 12 | 828 | 86 km |
| 2012 | HAM | 789 | 77 km |
| 2007 | HALMA FIRE | 775 | 99 km |
| 2007 | TNC GR-GOD-3910 | 749 | 90 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in |
Grand Forks AFB has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 6°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.6").