Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Mountain Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 33.1 inches. The area receives 50.3 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 1,299 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average
45.4°F
16% below US avg
January Average
14°F (-10°C)
July Average
72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days
260 days/yr
Geography
Elevation
1,299 ft (396 m)
Area
1.6 sq mi (4.2 km²)
Population Density
1,125/sq mi
Coordinates
43.9401°N, 94.9277°W
Timezone
America/Chicago
County
Watonwan County County
Nearest Airport
Mankato Regional (MKT) 54 miles away
Precipitation & Snow
Annual Rainfall33.1"
13% below US avg
Snowfall50.3"
Wettest Month (Jun)3.98"
Driest Month (Jan)0.59"
Air Quality
AQI Median
36.0
Rating
Good
Natural Hazard Risk
Overall Risk
Very Low
Risk Score
23.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability
41.7 / 100
Community Resilience
56.9 / 100
Hazard Breakdown
Tornado
Relatively Low
Earthquake
Very Low
Wildfire
Very Low
Flood
Very Low
Hail
Relatively Low
Strong Wind
Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave
Relatively Low
Winter Weather
Relatively Moderate
Lightning
Very Low
Ice Storm
Relatively Low
Drought
Relatively Moderate
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: M3.1.
Feb 9, 1994
6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota
M3.1
118 km
5 km
Apr 25, 2017
Near Mankato, Minnesota
M2.8
79 km
0 km
Jun 30, 2021
4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa
M2.7
125 km
10 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
493 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950.
Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 17 fatalities, 385 injuries.
Date
Rating
Distance
Path
Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992
EF5
89 km
16.0 mi
1
Jun 13, 1968
EF5
71 km
9.1 mi
9
Jun 25, 2010
EF4
99 km
13.7 mi
0
Mar 29, 1998
EF4
48 km
73.5 mi
1
Jun 16, 1992
EF4
78 km
7.0 mi
0
Aug 24, 2006
EF3
64 km
33.0 mi
1
Aug 1, 2006
EF3
17 km
1.5 mi
0
Mar 29, 1998
EF3
89 km
6.0 mi
0
Mar 29, 1998
EF3
71 km
12.0 mi
1
Aug 7, 1994
EF3
91 km
4.5 mi
0
Jun 16, 1992
EF3
58 km
13.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1992
EF3
61 km
16.0 mi
0
Jun 16, 1992
EF3
74 km
12.0 mi
0
Apr 20, 1985
EF3
94 km
8.0 mi
0
Sep 20, 1980
EF3
90 km
1.5 mi
0
Jun 28, 1979
EF3
94 km
15.9 mi
2
Jun 10, 1977
EF3
80 km
14.9 mi
0
May 31, 1971
EF3
83 km
8.6 mi
0
May 31, 1971
EF3
71 km
8.0 mi
0
Mar 21, 1953
EF3
78 km
31.8 mi
0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km.
Largest: DEWEYS PASTURE (641 acres, 2008).
Year
Name
Acres Burned
Distance
2008
DEWEYS PASTURE
641
84 km
2024
LINCOLN WPA RX
575
53 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
Month
Avg Temperature
Precipitation
Summary
January
14°F (-10°C)
0.6 in
Coldest, Driest
February
19°F (-7°C)
0.6 in
March
31°F (-0°C)
1.8 in
April
45°F (7°C)
2.7 in
May
59°F (15°C)
3.2 in
June
69°F (20°C)
4.0 in
Wettest
July
72°F (22°C)
3.9 in
Warmest
August
69°F (21°C)
3.3 in
September
61°F (16°C)
3.1 in
October
48°F (9°C)
2.1 in
November
32°F (-0°C)
1.4 in
December
18°F (-8°C)
0.8 in
Mountain Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 27.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.6").