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Weather & Climate in Shell Valley, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Shell Valley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F (3°C). Winters average 6°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°F. The area gets 269 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 20.1 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 1,811 feet.
Temperature
6°F Jan (-14°C)
67°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 38.2°F |
| 29% below US avg | |
| January Average | 6°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,811 ft (552 m) |
| Area | 15.0 sq mi (39.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 74/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.8086°N, 99.8271°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Rolette County County |
| Nearest Airport | Devils Lake Regional (DVL) 64 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 52.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 9.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
156 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 7, 2008 | EF3 | 8 km | 20.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1986 | EF3 | 58 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1958 | EF3 | 98 km | 10.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2017 | EF2 | 61 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 2016 | EF2 | 32 km | 20.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2001 | EF2 | 94 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 8, 2001 | EF2 | 92 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 49 km | 11.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 21, 1973 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1972 | EF2 | 41 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1971 | EF2 | 72 km | 8.9 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF2 | 20 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1959 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2021 | EF1 | 73 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2020 | EF1 | 73 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2020 | EF1 | 48 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 2018 | EF1 | 26 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 2018 | EF1 | 68 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 2018 | EF1 | 41 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2013 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (4,371 acres, 1989).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 4,371 | 6 km |
| 2000 | RED CROSS | 3,015 | 56 km |
| 2017 | NDJCR WUI RX COUNTY RD 17 2016 | 2,772 | 58 km |
| 1992 | CLARK II | 2,443 | 6 km |
| 2009 | COUNTY ROAD 17 | 2,291 | 59 km |
| 1994 | ASPEN | 1,994 | 59 km |
| 2008 | POOL 326 | 1,805 | 66 km |
| 2021 | DAHL | 1,312 | 92 km |
| 1985 | LAKE ALICE | 1,214 | 76 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 6°F (-14°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 38°F (3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 53°F (11°C) | 2.2 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 67°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 65°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 2.0 in | |
| October | 42°F (6°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.6 in |
Shell Valley has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 6°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and February the driest (0.4").