Weather & Climate in Max, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Max has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 273 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 18.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 2,123 feet.
Temperature
9°F Jan (-13°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 40.5°F |
| 25% below US avg | |
| January Average | 9°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,123 ft (647 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 364/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.8204°N, 101.2911°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McLean County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minot International (MOT) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| 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: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 19 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 1956 | EF3 | 69 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1956 | EF3 | 28 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF2 | 25 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 52 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 21 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 1990 | EF2 | 81 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1982 | EF2 | 41 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1975 | EF2 | 71 km | 33.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 52 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1960 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 1956 | EF2 | 100 km | 37.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1955 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2024 | EF1 | 93 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF1 | 27 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 2020 | EF1 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2018 | EF1 | 89 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RED CROSS (3,015 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | RED CROSS | 3,015 | 98 km |
| 2017 | NDJCR WUI RX COUNTY RD 17 2016 | 2,772 | 98 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 94 km |
| 2007 | MUSKRAT LAKE | 2,344 | 90 km |
| 2009 | COUNTY ROAD 17 | 2,291 | 97 km |
| 1994 | ASPEN | 1,994 | 97 km |
| 2008 | POOL 326 | 1,805 | 99 km |
| 2006 | RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM | 1,705 | 40 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,678 | 65 km |
| 1997 | FOXHOLM1 | 1,187 | 63 km |
| 2007 | ROBINSON SUNFLOWER | 1,115 | 38 km |
| 2009 | SQUAW CREEK | 1,104 | 94 km |
| 1999 | UNNAMED | 1,062 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 63°F (17°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 13°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in |
Max has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 9°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and February the driest (0.4").
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