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Weather & Climate in Grand Forks, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Grand Forks has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 70°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 22.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.7 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 830 feet.
Temperature
7°F Jan (-14°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 40.5°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 7°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 830 ft (253 m) |
| Area | 20.1 sq mi (52.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,022/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.9196°N, 97.0873°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Grand Forks County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grand Forks International (GFK) 4 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
449 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 92 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 45 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2007 | EF4 | 45 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1999 | EF4 | 91 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 27, 2016 | EF3 | 48 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF3 | 75 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 26, 2007 | EF3 | 65 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1987 | EF3 | 79 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1973 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1971 | EF3 | 77 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1958 | EF3 | 9 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2021 | EF2 | 65 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2019 | EF2 | 81 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2018 | EF2 | 90 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 35 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 89 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 61 km | 11.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | EF2 | 69 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2015 | EF2 | 31 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2014 | EF2 | 30 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2010 | EF2 | 28 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: UNNAMED (26,345 acres, 1990).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 26,345 | 100 km |
| 2021 | OXCART | 12,538 | 65 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,819 | 89 km |
| 2024 | AGASSIZ NWR PROJECT RX | 5,562 | 96 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 4,932 | 92 km |
| 2012 | COUNTY 27 FIRE | 4,653 | 81 km |
| 1998 | 16 A | 4,255 | 95 km |
| 2003 | NORTH EAST WEIR FIRE | 3,956 | 95 km |
| 2008 | POOL 21 | 3,482 | 90 km |
| 2009 | PARKER POOL | 3,166 | 90 km |
| 1987 | GOLDEN VAL | 3,147 | 99 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 2,836 | 94 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,420 | 62 km |
| 2005 | 8 H MOOSE PASTURE | 2,397 | 97 km |
| 2007 | JUPITER FIRE | 2,389 | 94 km |
| 2003 | ELM LAKE | 2,350 | 89 km |
| 2001 | PARKER 12 A | 2,337 | 90 km |
| 2024 | 4 SQUARE MILE RX | 2,320 | 67 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 2,270 | 95 km |
| 2003 | TAMARAC | 2,223 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°F (-14°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 1.2 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in |
Grand Forks has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 7°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and February the driest (0.6").