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Weather & Climate in Lake Benton, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lake Benton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°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 28.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.6 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,770 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.4°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,770 ft (539 m) |
| Area | 4.6 sq mi (12.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 217/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.2622°N, 96.2993°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lincoln County County |
| Nearest Airport | Brookings Regional (BKX) 26 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 18.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 72.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively 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)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.1.
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 132 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
463 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 15 fatalities, 334 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF5 | 56 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 13, 1968 | EF5 | 45 km | 9.1 mi | 9 |
| Jun 25, 2010 | EF4 | 96 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2000 | EF4 | 87 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Mar 29, 1998 | EF4 | 71 km | 73.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 78 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 89 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF4 | 47 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1955 | EF4 | 26 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF3 | 73 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 7, 1994 | EF3 | 95 km | 4.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 61 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 94 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 68 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 70 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 68 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 70 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 42 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 75 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 57 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.6 in |
Lake Benton has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.5").