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Weather & Climate in Paynesville, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Paynesville has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°F. The area gets 270 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 31.4 inches. The area receives 50.2 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,175 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.0°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 270 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,175 ft (358 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,081/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3785°N, 94.7216°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Stearns County County |
| Nearest Airport | St Cloud Regional (STC) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| 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 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Apr 25, 2017 | Near Mankato, Minnesota | M2.8 | 144 km | 0 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 93 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
453 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 10 fatalities, 343 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 96 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 25, 2000 | EF4 | 92 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 19, 1951 | EF4 | 62 km | 52.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF3 | 47 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 100 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1997 | EF3 | 93 km | 17.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 1, 1997 | EF3 | 62 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 55 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1980 | EF3 | 43 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| May 6, 1965 | EF3 | 89 km | 15.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 65 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 23 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 65 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 32 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 26 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2009 | EF2 | 58 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Sep 16, 2006 | EF2 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF2 | 79 km | 5.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF2 | 69 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2001 | EF2 | 71 km | 8.0 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 | 97 km |
| 2009 | CENTER TANK RANGE | 6,131 | 94 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 4 | 5,887 | 75 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 37 38 39 A | 4,879 | 82 km |
| 1998 | UNITS 1617 | 4,649 | 81 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,475 | 93 km |
| 2005 | RX HFR 05 | 4,253 | 81 km |
| 2009 | BU9 | 4,112 | 75 km |
| 2007 | WUI 07 - UNIT 36 | 4,025 | 82 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 25 | 3,412 | 82 km |
| 2009 | BU11 | 3,242 | 77 km |
| 1997 | BIG | 2,987 | 80 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 34 33 W | 2,637 | 80 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 8E RX | 2,551 | 77 km |
| 1992 | SHARPTAIL | 2,288 | 80 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 2,243 | 89 km |
| 2010 | WUI 10 UNIT D | 2,042 | 80 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,906 | 83 km |
| 2009 | EAST TANK RANGE | 1,801 | 90 km |
| 2006 | UNIT 4 | 1,732 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 4.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.8 in |
Paynesville has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 11°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.6") and February the driest (0.7").