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Weather & Climate in Scranton, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Scranton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. The area gets 273 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 17.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.2 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 2,779 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
69°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.3°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 69°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,779 ft (847 m) |
| Area | 0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 591/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.1495°N, 103.1430°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Bowman County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 2.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 53.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| 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: M2.6.
| Jul 29, 2013 | 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana | M2.6 | 104 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
149 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 15 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 29, 1975 | EF4 | 44 km | 68.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 2016 | EF3 | 87 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | EF3 | 82 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1952 | EF3 | 91 km | 55.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 100 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 81 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2011 | EF2 | 96 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2001 | EF2 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2001 | EF2 | 98 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1999 | EF2 | 90 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1986 | EF2 | 100 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1977 | EF2 | 58 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1976 | EF2 | 86 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1972 | EF2 | 83 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1969 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 29, 1964 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 1964 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1957 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF2 | 71 km | 10.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KRAFT SPRINGS (66,292 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | KRAFT SPRINGS | 66,292 | 94 km |
| 1988 | BREWER | 48,282 | 98 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 16,866 | 77 km |
| 2013 | PAUTRE | 11,733 | 63 km |
| 2021 | DIVIDE CA | 10,635 | 80 km |
| 2024 | TRAVIN | 7,917 | 67 km |
| 2018 | 18 DONUT HOLE | 7,838 | 92 km |
| 2000 | CAMP CROOK COMPLEX | 6,927 | 89 km |
| 1999 | MILL IRON | 6,494 | 81 km |
| 2004 | DEEP CREEK | 4,180 | 54 km |
| 2012 | DEEP CREEK 2 | 3,500 | 62 km |
| 2015 | MOONSHINE | 2,768 | 67 km |
| 2007 | HAY CREEK | 2,655 | 71 km |
| 2003 | MEAT HOOK | 2,522 | 79 km |
| 2008 | BROWN | 2,519 | 70 km |
| 2014 | 14 BEEF CORRAL WASH | 2,471 | 95 km |
| 2002 | TRAVERS | 2,403 | 65 km |
| 2007 | HARRIS | 2,369 | 62 km |
| 2021 | 744 | 2,268 | 91 km |
| 2000 | TALKINGTON 1 | 2,204 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 69°F (21°C) | 2.0 in | |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.5 in | Warmest |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 29°F (-1°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in |
Scranton has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 16°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and February the driest (0.3").