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Weather & Climate in Karlstad, MN

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

Karlstad has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. The area gets 269 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 22.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,047 feet.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)
Annual Average39.1°F
28% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days269 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,047 ft (319 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density415/sq mi
Coordinates48.5780°N, 96.5161°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMarshall County County
Nearest AirportThief River Falls Regional (TVF)
39 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.3"
41% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.46"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score23.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.0 / 100
Community Resilience93.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

277 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 27 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 6, 1999 EF4 93 km 8.0 mi 0
Aug 5, 2006 EF3 94 km 4.0 mi 0
May 19, 2004 EF3 56 km 1.5 mi 0
Aug 11, 1958 EF3 91 km 0.1 mi 0
Sep 19, 2014 EF2 49 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 2010 EF2 95 km 7.0 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 53 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 54 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 56 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 53 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 23, 2005 EF2 83 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 23, 2005 EF2 88 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 23, 2005 EF2 50 km 1.0 mi 0
May 21, 2005 EF2 79 km 0.3 mi 0
May 19, 2004 EF2 97 km 0.7 mi 0
Jul 14, 1999 EF2 62 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 27, 1997 EF2 43 km 11.0 mi 0
Aug 25, 1983 EF2 68 km 1.3 mi 0
Jul 13, 1983 EF2 99 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 11, 1980 EF2 73 km 6.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (131,401 acres, 1987).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1987 UNNAMED 131,401 95 km
2003 REINER 36 67,641 100 km
1989 UNNAMED 66,422 97 km
1990 UNNAMED 43,533 90 km
2011 JUNEBERRY 3 29,455 40 km
1990 UNNAMED 26,345 55 km
1991 UNNAMED 22,647 53 km
1988 UNNAMED 22,262 41 km
2007 UNNAMED 21,954 40 km
1988 UNNAMED 17,778 30 km
2003 CARIBOU 16,184 47 km
1998 RL3 14,882 98 km
1988 UNNAMED 14,432 51 km
2018 2018 HIGHWAY 1 RXB 13,170 98 km
2021 OXCART 12,538 96 km
1988 UNNAMED 11,927 45 km
2003 UNNAMED 11,544 44 km
1987 UNNAMED 10,819 55 km
2018 NORTH COUNTY ROAD 7 9,471 39 km
1987 UNNAMED 9,281 83 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 5°F (-15°C) 0.7 in Coldest
February 8°F (-13°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 22°F (-6°C) 0.8 in
April 40°F (4°C) 1.3 in
May 54°F (12°C) 2.2 in
June 63°F (17°C) 3.5 in Wettest
July 68°F (20°C) 2.9 in Warmest
August 66°F (19°C) 2.3 in
September 56°F (13°C) 2.3 in
October 43°F (6°C) 1.3 in
November 25°F (-4°C) 0.8 in
December 9°F (-13°C) 0.6 in

Karlstad has a seasonal temperature swing of 64°F / from 5°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.5").

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