Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kerkhoven has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°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 29.5 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 1,116 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
42.9°F
21% below US avg
January Average
11°F (-12°C)
July Average
71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
276 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,116 ft (340 m)
Area
0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²)
Population Density
983/sq mi
Coordinates
45.1914°N, 95.3183°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Kandiyohi County County
Nearest Airport
Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall/Ryan Field (MML) 57 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall29.5"
22% below US avg
Wettest Month (Aug)3.46"
Driest Month (Feb)0.67"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Relatively Low
Risk Score
51.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability
34.0 / 100
Community Resilience
93.4 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Relatively Low
Hail
Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind
Relatively High
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Relatively Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Moderate
Drought
Relatively Low
Cold Wave
Relatively Moderate
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
93 km
10 km
Oct 20, 1995
8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota
M3.7
138 km
5 km
Feb 9, 1994
6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota
M3.1
33 km
5 km
Apr 29, 2011
Minnesota
M2.5
90 km
5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
427 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 172 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 17, 2010
EF4
100 km
39.6 mi
1
Jul 25, 2000
EF4
43 km
9.0 mi
1
Jun 19, 1951
EF4
82 km
52.6 mi
1
Jul 11, 2008
EF3
19 km
8.0 mi
0
May 17, 1996
EF3
99 km
18.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1992
EF3
88 km
10.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1992
EF3
94 km
13.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1992
EF3
62 km
6.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1992
EF3
59 km
2.5 mi
0
Sep 3, 1980
EF3
94 km
3.8 mi
1
Jun 18, 1964
EF3
50 km
6.2 mi
0
May 5, 1964
EF3
60 km
4.3 mi
0
May 30, 2022
EF2
60 km
19.6 mi
0
May 30, 2022
EF2
93 km
6.8 mi
0
Aug 14, 2020
EF2
100 km
13.4 mi
0
Jul 11, 2016
EF2
72 km
2.2 mi
0
Jul 11, 2016
EF2
61 km
3.1 mi
0
Jul 14, 2009
EF2
23 km
7.9 mi
0
Jun 24, 2003
EF2
81 km
5.5 mi
0
Jun 11, 2001
EF2
28 km
8.0 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
72 km
2003
CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE
2,067
55 km
2004
FISH FIRE
1,799
78 km
2005
GRAND MEWS
1,245
81 km
1998
LEE
1,137
83 km
1995
UNNAMED
1,115
83 km
2003
ANDERSON
1,082
78 km
1998
ANDREASEN
1,001
78 km
1990
ANDERSON
988
81 km
2007
ANDERSON
797
78 km
2006
ANDERSON
764
81 km
1986
ANDERSON
746
78 km
2000
FISH
720
79 km
2010
WALDEN
717
49 km
2007
LEE
689
83 km
2000
SVOR
661
23 km
2000
ASHLEY N
588
58 km
2003
LEE
560
84 km
1994
ARTICHOKE
556
64 km
2002
ARTICHOKE
548
64 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
11°F (-12°C)
0.8 in
Coldest
February
17°F (-8°C)
0.7 in
Driest
March
30°F (-1°C)
1.1 in
April
45°F (7°C)
1.6 in
May
59°F (15°C)
1.9 in
June
68°F (20°C)
3.0 in
July
71°F (22°C)
3.4 in
Warmest
August
69°F (21°C)
3.5 in
Wettest
September
60°F (15°C)
2.6 in
October
47°F (9°C)
1.8 in
November
30°F (-1°C)
1.1 in
December
16°F (-9°C)
0.9 in
Kerkhoven has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 11°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.3 inches, with August being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.7").