All Countries
Weather & Climate in Sentinel Butte, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sentinel Butte has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 71°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 15.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 38. The city sits at an elevation of 2,725 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.1°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,725 ft (831 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 59/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.9194°N, 103.8406°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Golden Valley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 13.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 56.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 24.9 / 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 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.3.
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 131 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana | M2.6 | 83 km | 8 km |
| Jul 29, 2013 | 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana | M2.6 | 134 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
110 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 28 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 29, 1975 | EF4 | 79 km | 68.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 29, 1961 | EF4 | 68 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2016 | EF3 | 75 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | EF3 | 78 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1953 | EF3 | 27 km | 9.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1952 | EF3 | 70 km | 55.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1952 | EF3 | 32 km | 16.4 mi | 1 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF3 | 21 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2014 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2001 | EF2 | 17 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2001 | EF2 | 53 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1999 | EF2 | 50 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1978 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1977 | EF2 | 75 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1976 | EF2 | 49 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1975 | EF2 | 76 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1965 | EF2 | 81 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1962 | EF2 | 96 km | 40.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 22, 1957 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF2 | 64 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: GAP/ROUGH CREEK (53,708 acres, 1999).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1999 | GAP/ROUGH CREEK | 53,708 | 78 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 96 km |
| 2018 | 18 DONUT HOLE | 7,838 | 31 km |
| 1988 | MIKES CREEK | 5,309 | 41 km |
| 2017 | MAGPIE FIRE | 5,056 | 54 km |
| 2021 | ROOSEVELT CREEK | 4,608 | 31 km |
| 2021 | HORSE PASTURE | 4,431 | 89 km |
| 2004 | DEEP CREEK | 4,180 | 47 km |
| 2012 | DEEP CREEK 2 | 3,500 | 55 km |
| 2003 | 3 MILE | 3,394 | 88 km |
| 1988 | MONTANA LINE | 3,307 | 90 km |
| 1988 | CINNAMON CREEK | 3,204 | 54 km |
| 1999 | CEDARCRKN | 2,964 | 58 km |
| 2021 | ELKHORN | 2,784 | 41 km |
| 2021 | DOROTHY DRAW | 2,565 | 57 km |
| 2008 | BROWN | 2,519 | 44 km |
| 2014 | 14 BEEF CORRAL WASH | 2,471 | 30 km |
| 1988 | FANTAIL | 2,341 | 48 km |
| 2021 | 744 | 2,268 | 21 km |
| 2000 | TALKINGTON 1 | 2,204 | 45 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 (-5°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.6 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 2.3 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 58°F (15°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in |
Sentinel Butte has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 16°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.4").