Weather & Climate in New Salem, ND

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

New Salem has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 273 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 18.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.5 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 2,162 feet.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	41.5°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	12°F (-11°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,162 ft (659 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density	650/sq mi
Coordinates	46.8431°N, 101.4179°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Morton County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 32 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.3"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 44.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.19"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	38.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	49.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	87.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Tornado History

233 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 8 fatalities, 101 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	72 km	14.8 mi	2
Jul 4, 1978	EF4	61 km	26.0 mi	5
Jul 1, 1952	EF4	73 km	48.0 mi	1
Jul 30, 1981	EF3	25 km	23.9 mi	0
May 25, 1978	EF3	39 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 18, 1956	EF3	59 km	10.6 mi	0
Jun 5, 1956	EF3	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1955	EF3	100 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 12, 2011	EF2	73 km	6.0 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF2	57 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 18, 1990	EF2	33 km	6.0 mi	0
May 30, 1985	EF2	95 km	0.5 mi	0
May 26, 1978	EF2	98 km	0.3 mi	0
May 24, 1975	EF2	55 km	33.7 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	27 km	0.5 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF2	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 16, 1957	EF2	94 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 17, 1956	EF2	54 km	37.1 mi	0
Aug 3, 1955	EF2	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 7, 2020	EF1	53 km	0.2 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	TENBROOK	30,588	82 km
2006	LUND	9,425	94 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	80 km
2003	MCCLEAN BOTTOMS	6,421	67 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	93 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	83 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	100 km
2004	FISCHER	2,578	86 km
2000	NEUGERFIRE	2,150	80 km
2006	RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM	1,705	70 km
2002	BISRURAL2	1,649	66 km
2015	BIG LAKE FIRE	1,587	86 km
1993	UNNAMED	1,492	66 km
2024	CEDAR CREEK	1,388	85 km
2002	BALE II	1,179	79 km
1999	SOLEN	1,155	72 km
2006	RICE LAKE 1	1,150	87 km
2007	ROBINSON SUNFLOWER	1,115	71 km
1999	UNNAMED	1,062	45 km
2002	UNNAMED	1,049	61 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	12°F (-11°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	18°F (-8°C)	0.4 in
March	28°F (-2°C)	0.8 in
April	42°F (6°C)	1.9 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.4 in
June	64°F (18°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	69°F (21°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	2.0 in
September	58°F (14°C)	1.6 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.0 in
November	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
December	15°F (-9°C)	0.5 in

New Salem has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 12°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").

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