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Weather & Climate in Nelson, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Nelson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°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 24.1 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 1,366 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.5°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,366 ft (416 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 171/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8865°N, 95.2649°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Douglas County County |
| Nearest Airport | St Cloud Regional (STC) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 44.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| 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 | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 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 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 24 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
439 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 191 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 57 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 26 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 59 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF3 | 91 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 32 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1997 | EF3 | 96 km | 17.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 5, 1991 | EF3 | 96 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 94 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1980 | EF3 | 90 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 26, 1977 | EF3 | 78 km | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 33 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 51 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 67 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 61 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 21 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 57 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 55 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 95 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF2 | 63 km | 13.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF2 | 48 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (9,055 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 9,055 | 76 km |
| 2009 | CENTER TANK RANGE | 6,131 | 73 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,475 | 73 km |
| 2009 | HENDRICKSON IMPACT AREA | 2,757 | 80 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 80 km |
| 2009 | EAST TANK RANGE | 1,801 | 71 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,655 | 82 km |
| 2012 | JEEP FIRE | 1,437 | 83 km |
| 1998 | WEST SKUNK | 1,129 | 81 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 1 | 1,073 | 78 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 981 | 99 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 880 | 60 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 770 | 71 km |
| 2009 | WEST TANK RANGE | 727 | 70 km |
| 2010 | WALDEN | 717 | 52 km |
| 2000 | SVOR | 661 | 60 km |
| 2002 | BY PASS | 650 | 92 km |
| 2003 | UNIT 1 | 618 | 79 km |
| 2000 | ASHLEY N | 588 | 24 km |
| 2024 | AGASSIZ BEACHLINE RX | 564 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 4.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in |
Nelson has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 11°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and February the driest (0.7").