Weather & Climate in Napoleon, ND

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

Napoleon has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 70°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 20.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 53.2 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 1,957 feet.

Temperature

10°F Jan (-12°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	41.2°F
	24% below US avg
January Average	10°F (-12°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,957 ft (596 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density	557/sq mi
Coordinates	46.5039°N, 99.7683°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Logan County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 50 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.7"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 53.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.19"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	9.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	70.1 / 100
Community Resilience	54.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

252 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 5 fatalities, 75 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	69 km	14.8 mi	2
Aug 11, 2002	EF4	61 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 1, 1952	EF4	82 km	48.0 mi	1
Jul 17, 2011	EF3	87 km	16.2 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	93 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	76 km	6.0 mi	0
May 25, 1978	EF3	94 km	2.5 mi	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF3	41 km	0.1 mi	0
May 20, 1974	EF3	99 km	17.3 mi	0
Jul 31, 1966	EF3	61 km	26.4 mi	2
Jul 1, 1955	EF3	43 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF2	98 km	5.4 mi	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	12 km	12.0 mi	0
Jul 17, 2001	EF2	70 km	30.0 mi	0
Aug 15, 1999	EF2	19 km	15.0 mi	0
Jun 3, 1999	EF2	38 km	4.0 mi	0
May 30, 1985	EF2	87 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF2	77 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 4, 1982	EF2	26 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 11, 1976	EF2	84 km	0.1 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TRIBLE (9,718 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	TRIBLE	9,718	93 km
2006	LUND	9,425	92 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	89 km
2003	MCCLEAN BOTTOMS	6,421	65 km
1994	CHICAGOLAKE	4,606	65 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	67 km
2011	MOUND CITY	2,755	88 km
2004	FISCHER	2,578	68 km
2000	NEUGERFIRE	2,150	79 km
2000	FTMANUEL	2,124	88 km
2003	24	2,119	89 km
2008	GRADER	1,745	97 km
2002	BISRURAL2	1,649	66 km
2015	BIG LAKE FIRE	1,587	64 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,492	66 km
2003	JOEL BERTSCH 2	1,460	70 km
2004	ALLEN STUECKLE	1,330	72 km
1985	CHASE LAKE	1,215	60 km
2002	BALE II	1,179	69 km
1999	SOLEN	1,155	82 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	10°F (-12°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	14°F (-10°C)	0.5 in
March	26°F (-3°C)	0.9 in
April	42°F (5°C)	1.8 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.5 in
June	64°F (18°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	70°F (21°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	2.0 in
September	58°F (14°C)	1.8 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.4 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	0.7 in
December	14°F (-10°C)	0.4 in	Driest

Napoleon has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 10°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and December the driest (0.4").

View full profile of Napoleon, ND →