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Weather & Climate in Ottertail, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ottertail has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°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 28.2 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 1,340 feet.
Temperature
8°F Jan (-14°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 40.9°F |
| 24% below US avg | |
| January Average | 8°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,340 ft (408 m) |
| Area | 4.3 sq mi (11.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 114/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.4316°N, 95.5712°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Otter Tail County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hector International (FAR) 68 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 92.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 101 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 49 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
376 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 134 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 47 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 40 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 30 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 1966 | EF4 | 95 km | 72.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2008 | EF3 | 74 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 35 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1991 | EF3 | 94 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 83 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1977 | EF3 | 83 km | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF3 | 91 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 72 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 90 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 87 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2023 | EF2 | 95 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2022 | EF2 | 49 km | 30.9 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 54 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 70 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 80 km | 19.6 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 | 91 km |
| 2009 | CENTER TANK RANGE | 6,131 | 92 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,475 | 91 km |
| 2003 | ROTHSAY | 3,015 | 62 km |
| 2009 | HENDRICKSON IMPACT AREA | 2,757 | 93 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 59 km |
| 2009 | EAST TANK RANGE | 1,801 | 92 km |
| 2009 | DOWNING | 1,506 | 87 km |
| 2012 | JEEP FIRE | 1,437 | 55 km |
| 2012 | SPRING CREEK | 1,413 | 83 km |
| 2000 | 00 14 | 1,377 | 61 km |
| 2007 | FLICKERTAIL | 1,239 | 93 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,153 | 82 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 1,026 | 82 km |
| 1999 | HELLIKSEN | 993 | 83 km |
| 1992 | MEADOWS | 922 | 72 km |
| 2002 | 1000 AC S | 880 | 60 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 880 | 93 km |
| 2005 | HILLICKSON 05 | 818 | 81 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 807 | 83 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°F (-14°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 42°F (5°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.8 in |
Ottertail has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 8°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (0.6").