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Weather & Climate in Harwood, ND

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Harwood 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 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 24.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.4 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 890 feet.

Temperature

9°F Jan (-13°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.2°F
22% below US avg
January Average9°F (-13°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation890 ft (271 m)
Area1.3 sq mi (3.4 km²)
Population Density596/sq mi
Coordinates46.9770°N, 96.8810°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyClay County County
Nearest AirportHector International (FAR)
5 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.0"
37% below US avg
Snowfall 51.4"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.43"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score73.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability12.8 / 100
Community Resilience74.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
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: M3.7.

Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 132 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

485 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 20 fatalities, 241 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 20, 1957 EF5 37 km 52.4 mi 10
Aug 7, 2010 EF4 98 km 5.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 2010 EF4 70 km 17.0 mi 0
Aug 26, 2007 EF4 99 km 5.0 mi 1
Jun 28, 1975 EF4 17 km 5.4 mi 0
Jul 2, 1955 EF4 54 km 9.1 mi 2
Aug 27, 2016 EF3 59 km 3.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 2010 EF3 91 km 15.0 mi 1
Jun 28, 1975 EF3 26 km 2.3 mi 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 16, 1973 EF3 46 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 15, 1973 EF3 30 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 1971 EF3 100 km 13.7 mi 0
Sep 6, 1958 EF3 85 km 2.9 mi 0
Aug 30, 1956 EF3 11 km 5.1 mi 0
Jul 2, 1955 EF3 53 km 18.7 mi 0
Jun 13, 1950 EF3 81 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 24, 2023 EF2 77 km 6.2 mi 0
Jun 24, 2022 EF2 91 km 30.9 mi 0
Jun 8, 2019 EF2 77 km 3.6 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 96 km
2021 BIESTERFELD 3,481 76 km
2003 ROTHSAY 3,015 64 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,420 93 km
2024 4 SQUARE MILE RX 2,320 95 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,092 92 km
2010 NELSON PRAIRIE MIDDLE WPA 1,779 89 km
2009 DOWNING 1,506 72 km
2020 GRAVEL PIT 1,468 93 km
2012 SPRING CREEK 1,413 73 km
2000 00 14 1,377 96 km
2003 OLERUD 1,275 67 km
2010 BEJOU WMA 1,270 85 km
2007 UNNAMED 1,270 90 km
2007 FLICKERTAIL 1,239 41 km
2011 NEAL WMA 1,213 49 km
1996 UNNAMED 1,153 35 km
1985 ALICE 02 1,142 53 km
2016 UNNAMED 1,128 96 km
2006 FULLERS LAKE 06 1,109 65 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 14°F (-10°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 27°F (-3°C) 1.0 in
April 44°F (6°C) 1.5 in
May 58°F (14°C) 2.6 in
June 67°F (19°C) 3.4 in Wettest
July 71°F (22°C) 2.9 in Warmest
August 69°F (21°C) 2.5 in
September 59°F (15°C) 2.2 in
October 46°F (8°C) 1.9 in
November 28°F (-2°C) 0.9 in
December 13°F (-11°C) 0.6 in

Harwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 9°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.5").

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