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Weather & Climate in Lafayette, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lafayette has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. The area gets 270 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 32.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,017 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.2°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,017 ft (310 m) |
| Area | 1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 379/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.4471°N, 94.3927°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Nicollet County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mankato Regional (MKT) 28 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 45.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 15.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 99.1 / 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 | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.1.
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Apr 25, 2017 | Near Mankato, Minnesota | M2.8 | 42 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
508 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 22 fatalities, 795 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 82 km | 6.9 mi | 0 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 63 km | 12.3 mi | 3 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF4 | 100 km | 17.3 mi | 6 |
| Jun 19, 1951 | EF4 | 48 km | 52.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF3 | 91 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 22 km | 33.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 1, 2006 | EF3 | 66 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | EF3 | 26 km | 12.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | EF3 | 38 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1997 | EF3 | 80 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 78 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 65 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 98 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1981 | EF3 | 98 km | 16.2 mi | 1 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF3 | 31 km | 15.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 20, 1951 | EF3 | 89 km | 11.6 mi | 5 |
| Sep 20, 2018 | EF2 | 85 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 2018 | EF2 | 80 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 76 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SNAKE TRAIL (1,496 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | SNAKE TRAIL | 1,496 | 85 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 598 | 81 km |
| 2024 | LINCOLN WPA RX | 575 | 47 km |
| 1995 | LV 68 CARVER | 532 | 69 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 513 | 97 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-10°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.9 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 2.9 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.8 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.8 in |
Lafayette has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (0.7").