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Weather & Climate in Sawyer, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sawyer has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 68°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 19.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.8 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 1,536 feet.
Temperature
10°F Jan (-12°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 40.1°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 10°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,536 ft (468 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 622/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.0895°N, 101.0533°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ward County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minot International (MOT) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
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)
Tornado History
220 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 19 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 26, 1986 | EF3 | 99 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1977 | EF3 | 78 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1958 | EF3 | 95 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1956 | EF3 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF2 | 38 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2017 | EF2 | 99 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 47 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1982 | EF2 | 10 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 83 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1973 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1960 | EF2 | 30 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1955 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 1954 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 15, 2022 | EF1 | 32 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
10 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: CLEAR LAKE (5,040 acres, 2005).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2005 | CLEAR LAKE | 5,040 | 99 km |
| 2000 | RED CROSS | 3,015 | 66 km |
| 2017 | NDJCR WUI RX COUNTY RD 17 2016 | 2,772 | 64 km |
| 2009 | COUNTY ROAD 17 | 2,291 | 63 km |
| 1994 | ASPEN | 1,994 | 63 km |
| 2008 | POOL 326 | 1,805 | 64 km |
| 2006 | RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM | 1,705 | 74 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,678 | 94 km |
| 1997 | FOXHOLM1 | 1,187 | 47 km |
| 2007 | ROBINSON SUNFLOWER | 1,115 | 70 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.3 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.6 in |
Sawyer has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 10°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and February the driest (0.5").