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Weather & Climate in Sheldon, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sheldon has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 62°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 24.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.7 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 1,077 feet.
Temperature
8°F Jan (-13°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 41.1°F |
| 24% below US avg | |
| January Average | 8°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,077 ft (328 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 288/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.5885°N, 97.4944°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Ransom County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hector International (FAR) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 13.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 22.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.2 / 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 Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very 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: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 138 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 101 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
445 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 12 fatalities, 164 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 20, 1957 | EF5 | 36 km | 52.4 mi | 10 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 85 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2004 | EF4 | 71 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF4 | 66 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF4 | 39 km | 9.1 mi | 2 |
| Jul 17, 2011 | EF3 | 88 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1975 | EF3 | 76 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1974 | EF3 | 75 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 58 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1973 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1973 | EF3 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 23, 1968 | EF3 | 96 km | 8.5 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 91 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 1958 | EF3 | 52 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 16, 1957 | EF3 | 91 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 1956 | EF3 | 63 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 61 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1950 | EF3 | 40 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | BIESTERFELD | 3,481 | 23 km |
| 2003 | ROTHSAY | 3,015 | 87 km |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 82 km |
| 2003 | OLERUD | 1,275 | 22 km |
| 2016 | SLR 2016 RX MICHELL | 1,242 | 94 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,153 | 84 km |
| 1985 | ALICE 02 | 1,142 | 19 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 67 km |
| 2006 | FULLERS LAKE 06 | 1,109 | 78 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 67 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 69 km |
| 1992 | MEADOWS | 922 | 76 km |
| 2007 | HAUGVEDT WPA | 630 | 95 km |
| 2006 | MEADOWS (SOUTH) | 569 | 77 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 43°F (6°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (20°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.5 in |
Sheldon has a seasonal temperature swing of 62°F / from 8°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.4").