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Weather & Climate in Lancaster, MN

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

Lancaster 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 909 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

Elevation909 ft (277 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²)
Population Density148/sq mi
Coordinates48.8582°N, 96.8014°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyKittson County County
Nearest AirportThief River Falls Regional (TVF)
62 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.3"
41% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.78"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score4.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience97.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

214 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 21 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 6, 1999 EF4 77 km 8.0 mi 0
May 19, 2004 EF3 22 km 1.5 mi 0
Sep 19, 2014 EF2 16 km 10.0 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 23 km 4.0 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 17 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 21 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 2, 2005 EF2 21 km 1.5 mi 0
Jun 23, 2005 EF2 12 km 1.0 mi 0
May 19, 2004 EF2 68 km 0.7 mi 0
Jul 14, 1999 EF2 77 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 27, 1997 EF2 57 km 11.0 mi 0
May 26, 1978 EF2 19 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 13, 1977 EF2 94 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 13, 1977 EF2 87 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 30, 1955 EF2 91 km 4.1 mi 0
Jun 24, 2022 EF1 97 km 2.2 mi 0
Jun 12, 2022 EF1 64 km 2.7 mi 0
Aug 9, 2020 EF1 87 km 22.0 mi 0
Jul 17, 2020 EF1 57 km 3.2 mi 0
Jun 17, 2020 EF1 46 km 2.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JUNEBERRY 3 (29,455 acres, 2011).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2011 JUNEBERRY 3 29,455 36 km
1990 UNNAMED 26,345 91 km
1991 UNNAMED 22,647 49 km
1988 UNNAMED 22,262 40 km
2007 UNNAMED 21,954 41 km
1988 UNNAMED 17,778 19 km
2003 CARIBOU 16,184 24 km
1988 UNNAMED 14,432 48 km
1988 UNNAMED 11,927 21 km
2003 UNNAMED 11,544 20 km
1987 UNNAMED 10,819 92 km
2018 NORTH COUNTY ROAD 7 9,471 27 km
2000 UNNAMED 9,194 22 km
1988 UNNAMED 7,578 96 km
2003 CANADA 7,065 48 km
2006 UNNAMED 6,964 31 km
2000 UNNAMED 6,057 20 km
1985 UNNAMED 5,891 20 km
1990 UNNAMED 5,817 74 km
2024 AGASSIZ NWR PROJECT RX 5,562 91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 5°F (-15°C) 0.8 in Coldest
February 8°F (-13°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 22°F (-6°C) 0.8 in
April 39°F (4°C) 1.1 in
May 53°F (12°C) 2.4 in
June 62°F (17°C) 3.8 in Wettest
July 68°F (20°C) 3.1 in Warmest
August 65°F (18°C) 2.5 in
September 55°F (13°C) 2.3 in
October 43°F (6°C) 1.5 in
November 24°F (-4°C) 0.9 in
December 8°F (-14°C) 0.7 in

Lancaster has a seasonal temperature swing of 64°F / from 5°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and February the driest (0.5").

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