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Weather & Climate in Moorhead, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Moorhead has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. 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 26.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 52.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 906 feet.
Temperature
8°F Jan (-13°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 42.2°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 8°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 906 ft (276 m) |
| Area | 19.8 sq mi (51.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,007/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.8647°N, 96.7446°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Clay County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hector International (FAR) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 74.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 137 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
451 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 19 fatalities, 226 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 20, 1957 | EF5 | 46 km | 52.4 mi | 10 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 84 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 86 km | 17.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF4 | 1 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF4 | 45 km | 9.1 mi | 2 |
| Aug 27, 2016 | EF3 | 75 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF3 | 13 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1973 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1973 | EF3 | 38 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 91 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 1958 | EF3 | 96 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1956 | EF3 | 6 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 39 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1950 | EF3 | 90 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2023 | EF2 | 75 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2022 | EF2 | 80 km | 30.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | BIESTERFELD | 3,481 | 72 km |
| 2003 | ROTHSAY | 3,015 | 48 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 88 km |
| 2008 | UNNAMED | 2,092 | 98 km |
| 2010 | NELSON PRAIRIE MIDDLE WPA | 1,779 | 90 km |
| 2009 | DOWNING | 1,506 | 67 km |
| 2012 | SPRING CREEK | 1,413 | 68 km |
| 2000 | 00 14 | 1,377 | 87 km |
| 2003 | OLERUD | 1,275 | 63 km |
| 2010 | BEJOU WMA | 1,270 | 86 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 1,270 | 98 km |
| 2007 | FLICKERTAIL | 1,239 | 37 km |
| 2011 | NEAL WMA | 1,213 | 49 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,153 | 22 km |
| 1985 | ALICE 02 | 1,142 | 59 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 85 km |
| 2006 | FULLERS LAKE 06 | 1,109 | 80 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 85 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,026 | 67 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in |
Moorhead has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 8°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.5").