All Countries
Weather & Climate in Ross, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Ross has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 274 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 15.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 2,299 feet.
Temperature
11°F Jan (-12°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.0°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 11°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,299 ft (701 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 555/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3128°N, 102.5435°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Mountrail County County |
| Nearest Airport | Williston Basin International (XWA) 56 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.5.
| Nov 11, 1998 | 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota | M3.5 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 67 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
185 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 49 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1955 | EF4 | 21 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2010 | EF3 | 62 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 6, 1977 | EF3 | 89 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1974 | EF3 | 23 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2018 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 92 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2014 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 89 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 27, 1982 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1976 | EF2 | 33 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 72 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1969 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 4 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1960 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1953 | EF2 | 64 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF2 | 93 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2024 | EF1 | 17 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: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE | 67,150 | 55 km |
| 2021 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 9,886 | 84 km |
| 1988 | MURPHY | 8,918 | 75 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 87 km |
| 2015 | LOSTWOOD WILDERNESS 2015 | 6,837 | 39 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 6,304 | 84 km |
| 2005 | H RX 05 WILD | 5,644 | 39 km |
| 1986 | WILDERNESS | 5,615 | 39 km |
| 1997 | WILDERNESS | 5,556 | 39 km |
| 2005 | CLEAR LAKE | 5,040 | 24 km |
| 2021 | HORSE PASTURE | 4,431 | 95 km |
| 2015 | RIDGE ROAD | 3,390 | 48 km |
| 2024 | CHARLSON | 3,055 | 41 km |
| 2005 | LOSTWOOD NON-NFP | 2,769 | 32 km |
| 2021 | 13 MILE FIRE | 2,585 | 84 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 66 km |
| 2007 | MUSKRAT LAKE | 2,344 | 48 km |
| 2006 | HB 35 | 2,164 | 73 km |
| 2023 | NDLWR-HFR-FY23-RX-ASPEN | 2,074 | 36 km |
| 2017 | NDLWR FY17 RX CENTRAL CORE | 1,899 | 35 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 53°F (12°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.5 in |
Ross has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 11°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.4").