Weather & Climate in Nielsville, MN

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

Nielsville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 69°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 22.4 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 866 feet.

Temperature

6°F Jan (-14°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	40.1°F
	26% below US avg
January Average	6°F (-14°C)
July Average	69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	866 ft (264 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density	234/sq mi
Coordinates	47.5293°N, 96.8157°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Norman County County
Nearest Airport	Grand Forks International (GFK) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.4"

41% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.62"

Driest Month (Feb) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	36.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	14.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	47.5 / 100
Community Resilience	54.3 / 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	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Tornado History

479 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 18 fatalities, 199 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 20, 1957	EF5	81 km	52.4 mi	10
Jun 17, 2010	EF4	36 km	17.0 mi	0
Aug 26, 2007	EF4	63 km	5.0 mi	1
Jun 28, 1975	EF4	74 km	5.4 mi	0
Aug 27, 2016	EF3	22 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 17, 2010	EF3	49 km	15.0 mi	1
Aug 26, 2007	EF3	87 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 21, 1987	EF3	93 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1975	EF3	75 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 16, 1973	EF3	26 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1973	EF3	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 21, 1971	EF3	84 km	13.7 mi	0
Aug 11, 1958	EF3	50 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 30, 1956	EF3	70 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 24, 2023	EF2	73 km	6.2 mi	0
Aug 9, 2021	EF2	81 km	2.9 mi	0
Jun 8, 2019	EF2	46 km	3.6 mi	0
Jun 29, 2018	EF2	60 km	15.4 mi	0
Jul 11, 2017	EF2	21 km	11.6 mi	0
Jul 11, 2017	EF2	41 km	12.8 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OXCART (12,538 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	OXCART	12,538	47 km
1987	UNNAMED	10,819	100 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,420	43 km
2024	4 SQUARE MILE RX	2,320	48 km
2008	UNNAMED	2,092	45 km
2010	NELSON PRAIRIE MIDDLE WPA	1,779	65 km
2012	VIKING FIRE	1,698	86 km
2009	DOWNING	1,506	75 km
2020	GRAVEL PIT	1,468	43 km
2012	SPRING CREEK	1,413	80 km
2010	BEJOU WMA	1,270	62 km
2007	UNNAMED	1,270	42 km
2007	FLICKERTAIL	1,239	62 km
2011	NEAL WMA	1,213	53 km
1992	UNNAMED	1,193	92 km
1996	UNNAMED	1,153	81 km
1996	P CHICKEN	1,121	76 km
2006	FULLERS LAKE 06	1,109	65 km
1998	UNNAMED	1,026	80 km
1999	HELLIKSEN	993	74 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	6°F (-14°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	12°F (-11°C)	0.5 in	Driest
March	25°F (-4°C)	0.8 in
April	42°F (6°C)	1.5 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.5 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.6 in	Wettest
July	69°F (21°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
August	67°F (20°C)	2.8 in
September	58°F (14°C)	2.2 in
October	45°F (7°C)	1.8 in
November	27°F (-3°C)	0.9 in
December	12°F (-11°C)	0.6 in

Nielsville has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 6°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (0.5").

View full profile of Nielsville, MN →