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Weather & Climate in Rice Lake, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rice Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°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 26.4 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 1,447 feet.
Temperature
6°F Jan (-14°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 39.9°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 6°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,447 ft (441 m) |
| Area | 10.5 sq mi (27.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 394/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.3883°N, 95.5244°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Mahnomen County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bemidji Regional (BJI) 29 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 7.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 97.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.8 / 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 Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
280 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 73 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF3 | 57 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 2008 | EF3 | 59 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF3 | 99 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 96 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2023 | EF2 | 35 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2022 | EF2 | 60 km | 30.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2019 | EF2 | 53 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2018 | EF2 | 41 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 77 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | EF2 | 68 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2013 | EF2 | 31 km | 21.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF2 | 25 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2008 | EF2 | 79 km | 14.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 2007 | EF2 | 98 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2005 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 2004 | EF2 | 97 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 26, 1996 | EF2 | 96 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1996 | EF2 | 70 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 25, 1983 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1981 | EF2 | 40 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (131,401 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 131,401 | 79 km |
| 2003 | REINER 36 | 67,641 | 73 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 66,422 | 75 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 43,533 | 87 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 37,840 | 60 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 32,693 | 64 km |
| 1987 | SANDY LAKE | 26,617 | 62 km |
| 1998 | RL3 | 14,882 | 80 km |
| 2018 | 2018 HIGHWAY 1 RXB | 13,170 | 81 km |
| 2021 | OXCART | 12,538 | 67 km |
| 1994 | UNNAMED | 8,690 | 64 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 8,025 | 84 km |
| 2016 | 2016 HIGHWAY 1 RXB | 7,744 | 84 km |
| 2021 | RL 005 UNIT 8 AND 9 | 6,352 | 63 km |
| 2003 | HICKORY ONE | 6,152 | 65 km |
| 2007 | HWYONEBURN | 6,124 | 83 km |
| 2002 | RED LAKE 468 | 6,076 | 56 km |
| 2021 | RL 203 GOODS | 5,555 | 62 km |
| 2012 | HWY 1 2012 | 5,491 | 84 km |
| 2000 | RL205 | 5,239 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 24°F (-5°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | |
| December | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in |
Rice Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 6°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.2") and February the driest (0.6").