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Weather & Climate in McKinley, MN

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

McKinley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 36°F (2°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 64°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 28.1 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 1,426 feet.

Temperature

5°F Jan (-15°C) 64°F Jul (18°C)
Annual Average36.4°F
33% below US avg
January Average5°F (-15°C)
July Average64°F (18°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,426 ft (435 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density69/sq mi
Coordinates47.5099°N, 92.4065°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountySt. Louis County County
Nearest AirportRange Regional (HIB)
22 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.1"
26% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 4.29"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.67"

Air Quality

AQI Median36.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score91.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability32.4 / 100
Community Resilience98.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

Tornado History

55 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 37 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 33 km 10.0 mi 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 34 km 7.2 mi 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 76 km 18.4 mi 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 55 km 17.2 mi 2
Aug 6, 1969 EF3 40 km 3.8 mi 0
Jun 7, 1977 EF2 71 km 0.5 mi 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 26 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 31 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 6, 1969 EF2 54 km 1.9 mi 0
Sep 6, 1959 EF2 50 km 30.3 mi 0
Sep 19, 2024 EF1 46 km 5.9 mi 0
Jul 17, 2019 EF1 64 km 5.7 mi 0
Jun 19, 2016 EF1 84 km 8.1 mi 0
Jun 19, 2016 EF1 35 km 7.2 mi 0
Jul 7, 1988 EF1 88 km 0.3 mi 0
Sep 5, 1987 EF1 57 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 21, 1986 EF1 90 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 21, 1986 EF1 100 km 0.5 mi 0
Sep 17, 1985 EF1 96 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 12, 1980 EF1 52 km 1.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PAGAMI CREEK (85,116 acres, 2011).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2011 PAGAMI CREEK 85,116 90 km
2021 GREENWOOD 28,255 64 km
2005 WEST ZONE RX BURN 9,523 57 km
1996 WHITEFEATHER LAKE 4,286 80 km
1992 UNNAMED 4,053 26 km
1995 LITTLE GABBRO 3,145 75 km
2006 TURTLE LAKE 2,167 75 km
2000 UNNAMED 1,874 55 km
1992 UNNAMED 1,581 28 km
2004 SUPERIOR RX BURN 2 1,128 89 km
1998 UNNAMED 958 38 km
2016 FOSS LAKE 917 52 km
2021 BEZHIK 805 64 km
2016 SKIBO 763 27 km
2007 WOODBURY 673 99 km
1988 UNNAMED 621 40 km
2003 FEN 619 28 km
2009 EVELETH RX 586 39 km
2010 UNNAMED 582 60 km
2019 UNNAMED 558 58 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 5°F (-15°C) 0.9 in Coldest
February 10°F (-12°C) 0.7 in Driest
March 23°F (-5°C) 1.1 in
April 37°F (3°C) 1.9 in
May 51°F (11°C) 3.0 in
June 60°F (16°C) 4.3 in Wettest
July 64°F (18°C) 4.1 in Warmest
August 63°F (17°C) 3.8 in
September 54°F (12°C) 3.6 in
October 43°F (6°C) 2.7 in
November 27°F (-3°C) 1.4 in
December 12°F (-11°C) 0.9 in

McKinley has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 5°F in January to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (0.7").

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