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Weather & Climate in Ralston, IA
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ralston experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 260 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 33.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43. The city sits at an elevation of 1,114 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 260 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,114 ft (340 m) |
| Area | 2.0 sq mi (5.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 34/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 42.0419°N, 94.6293°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Carroll County County |
| Nearest Airport | Fort Dodge Regional (FOD) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 57.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 23.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 94.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Hurricane | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very 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: M2.7.
| Jun 30, 2021 | 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa | M2.7 | 96 km | 10 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
662 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 16 fatalities, 300 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1976 | EF5 | 64 km | 21.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1953 | EF5 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 1 |
| Mar 5, 2022 | EF4 | 97 km | 70.6 mi | 6 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF4 | 79 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 29 km | 30.0 mi | 0 |
| May 27, 1995 | EF4 | 23 km | 36.0 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1989 | EF4 | 70 km | 66.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 28, 1986 | EF4 | 91 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1979 | EF4 | 65 km | 14.9 mi | 3 |
| May 4, 1977 | EF4 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1974 | EF4 | 91 km | 15.3 mi | 2 |
| Jun 8, 1967 | EF4 | 65 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1965 | EF4 | 32 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1959 | EF4 | 60 km | 41.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1954 | EF4 | 28 km | 9.9 mi | 1 |
| Jul 14, 2021 | EF3 | 27 km | 10.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 67 km | 29.4 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 64 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 9, 2011 | EF3 | 100 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Nov 12, 2005 | EF3 | 48 km | 17.6 mi | 1 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2 in | |
| April | 49°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| May | 61°F (16°C) | 4.3 in | |
| June | 71°F (21°C) | 4.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 4.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.5 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in |
Ralston has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.7") and January the driest (0.8").