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Weather & Climate in Rutland, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rutland has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 9°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°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 23.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 1,225 feet.
Temperature
9°F Jan (-13°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 41.5°F |
| 23% below US avg | |
| January Average | 9°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,225 ft (373 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 236/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.0543°N, 97.5068°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sargent County County |
| Nearest Airport | Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 61 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 7.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| 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: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 103 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 58 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
427 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 14 fatalities, 179 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 20, 1957 | EF5 | 95 km | 52.4 mi | 10 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 68 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF4 | 83 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF4 | 63 km | 9.1 mi | 2 |
| Jul 17, 2011 | EF3 | 99 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF3 | 93 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1996 | EF3 | 100 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 80 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1974 | EF3 | 91 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 27 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 21 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1973 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1969 | EF3 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF3 | 77 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 70 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1961 | EF3 | 86 km | 156.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 81 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 43 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1950 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 79 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | BIESTERFELD | 3,481 | 39 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 99 km |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 33 km |
| 2004 | TACOMA PARK PLACE | 1,336 | 83 km |
| 2003 | OLERUD | 1,275 | 47 km |
| 2016 | SLR 2016 RX MICHELL | 1,242 | 56 km |
| 2000 | PHEASANT OPENER | 1,206 | 87 km |
| 1985 | ALICE 02 | 1,142 | 78 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 43 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 43 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 42 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 72 km |
| 1992 | MEADOWS | 922 | 88 km |
| 2006 | MOSQUITO RANCH | 656 | 77 km |
| 2006 | MEADOWS (SOUTH) | 569 | 88 km |
| 1997 | ROBIN HOOD | 542 | 79 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in |
Rutland has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 9°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.5").