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Weather & Climate in Granite Falls, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Granite Falls has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°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 28.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.5 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 903 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-10°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.7°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 903 ft (275 m) |
| Area | 3.8 sq mi (9.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 736/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.8073°N, 95.5423°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Yellow Medicine County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall/Ryan Field (MML) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 30.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 88.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very 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 | 113 km | 10 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Apr 25, 2017 | Near Mankato, Minnesota | M2.8 | 140 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
431 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 14 fatalities, 289 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1968 | EF5 | 73 km | 9.1 mi | 9 |
| Jul 25, 2000 | EF4 | 14 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | EF4 | 95 km | 73.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF4 | 100 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1955 | EF4 | 64 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 19, 1951 | EF4 | 93 km | 52.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF3 | 43 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF3 | 92 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 25 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 53 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 82 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 64 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 21 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2011 | EF2 | 75 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 2010 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2009 | EF2 | 63 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF2 | 76 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | LOUISBURGRADE | 6,487 | 71 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 53 km |
| 2004 | FISH FIRE | 1,799 | 76 km |
| 2005 | GRAND MEWS | 1,245 | 80 km |
| 1998 | LEE | 1,137 | 81 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,115 | 81 km |
| 2003 | ANDERSON | 1,082 | 76 km |
| 1998 | ANDREASEN | 1,001 | 77 km |
| 1990 | ANDERSON | 988 | 80 km |
| 2007 | ANDERSON | 797 | 76 km |
| 2006 | ANDERSON | 764 | 80 km |
| 1986 | ANDERSON | 746 | 76 km |
| 2000 | FISH | 720 | 78 km |
| 2010 | WALDEN | 717 | 82 km |
| 2007 | LEE | 689 | 81 km |
| 2000 | SVOR | 661 | 63 km |
| 2003 | LEE | 560 | 81 km |
| 1994 | ARTICHOKE | 556 | 74 km |
| 2002 | ARTICHOKE | 548 | 74 km |
| 2003 | DISMAL SWAMP | 518 | 93 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
Granite Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and December the driest (0.8").