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Weather & Climate in Great Bend, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Great Bend has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°F. The area gets 253 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 975 feet.
Temperature
9°F Jan (-13°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 42.1°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 9°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 253 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 975 ft (297 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 50/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.1546°N, 96.8010°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Richland County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hector International (FAR) 53 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 35.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 25.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 68.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 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 | 66 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 41 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
437 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 198 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 20, 1957 | EF5 | 93 km | 52.4 mi | 10 |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 67 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 14 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF4 | 80 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF4 | 41 km | 9.1 mi | 2 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 30 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF3 | 81 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 29 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1973 | EF3 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 19 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1956 | EF3 | 83 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 41 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 15 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 57 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 69 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 28 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF2 | 62 km | 13.4 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 2014 | EF2 | 56 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 89 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | BIESTERFELD | 3,481 | 53 km |
| 2003 | ROTHSAY | 3,015 | 53 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 44 km |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 40 km |
| 2003 | OLERUD | 1,275 | 50 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,153 | 81 km |
| 1985 | ALICE 02 | 1,142 | 86 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 13 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 13 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 15 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 91 km |
| 1992 | MEADOWS | 922 | 40 km |
| 2006 | MOSQUITO RANCH | 656 | 60 km |
| 2007 | HAUGVEDT WPA | 630 | 69 km |
| 2006 | MEADOWS (SOUTH) | 569 | 40 km |
| 2024 | AGASSIZ BEACHLINE RX | 564 | 46 km |
| 1997 | ROBIN HOOD | 542 | 60 km |
| 2003 | DISMAL SWAMP | 518 | 87 km |
| 2002 | DISMAL WPA | 512 | 87 km |
| 2008 | POMME DE TERRE SOUTH | 508 | 72 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in |
Great Bend has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 9°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.5").