Weather & Climate in Plaza, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Plaza has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 16.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37. 81% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 2,098 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.4°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,098 ft (639 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 291/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.0263°N, 101.9587°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ward County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minot International (MOT) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 81.4% |
| Unhealthy Days | 9 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 64.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 76.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 104 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
206 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 18 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1955 | EF4 | 53 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2010 | EF3 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 6, 1977 | EF3 | 84 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1974 | EF3 | 74 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1956 | EF3 | 82 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1956 | EF3 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF2 | 80 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 35 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | EF2 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1982 | EF2 | 66 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1976 | EF2 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1975 | EF2 | 85 km | 33.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 38 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1960 | EF2 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 11 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 25 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2024 | EF1 | 38 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LITTLE SWALLOW (9,886 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 9,886 | 70 km |
| 1988 | MURPHY | 8,918 | 66 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 99 km |
| 2015 | LOSTWOOD WILDERNESS 2015 | 6,837 | 79 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 6,304 | 73 km |
| 2005 | H RX 05 WILD | 5,644 | 79 km |
| 1986 | WILDERNESS | 5,615 | 79 km |
| 1997 | WILDERNESS | 5,556 | 79 km |
| 2005 | CLEAR LAKE | 5,040 | 52 km |
| 2015 | RIDGE ROAD | 3,390 | 84 km |
| 2024 | CHARLSON | 3,055 | 66 km |
| 2005 | LOSTWOOD NON-NFP | 2,769 | 74 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 55 km |
| 2007 | MUSKRAT LAKE | 2,344 | 43 km |
| 2006 | HB 35 | 2,164 | 96 km |
| 2023 | NDLWR-HFR-FY23-RX-ASPEN | 2,074 | 75 km |
| 2017 | NDLWR FY17 RX CENTRAL CORE | 1,899 | 75 km |
| 2016 | LWR WUI RX FESCUE 2016 | 1,802 | 72 km |
| 1993 | KRUSES | 1,802 | 72 km |
| 2006 | RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM | 1,705 | 74 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in |
Plaza has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 14°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.4").