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Weather & Climate in Stanley, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Stanley has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 39°F (4°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 67°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 47.4 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 2,249 feet.
Temperature
8°F Jan (-13°C)
67°F Jul (19°C)
| Annual Average | 38.7°F |
| 28% below US avg | |
| January Average | 8°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 67°F (19°C) |
| Sunny Days | 274 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,249 ft (685 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 463/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.3138°N, 102.3973°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Mountrail County County |
| Nearest Airport | Minot International (MOT) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 21.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 40.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 19.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively 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: M3.5.
| Nov 11, 1998 | 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota | M3.5 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 77 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
193 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 49 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1955 | EF4 | 14 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 2010 | EF3 | 58 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 6, 1977 | EF3 | 80 km | 17.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1974 | EF3 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2018 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 94 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2004 | EF2 | 80 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1997 | EF2 | 56 km | 0.2 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1982 | EF2 | 97 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1976 | EF2 | 43 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1974 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1969 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 8 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 2, 1960 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1954 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1953 | EF2 | 75 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2024 | EF1 | 15 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2009 | EF1 | 80 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE | 67,150 | 65 km |
| 2021 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 9,886 | 86 km |
| 1988 | MURPHY | 8,918 | 77 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 93 km |
| 2015 | LOSTWOOD WILDERNESS 2015 | 6,837 | 38 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 6,304 | 85 km |
| 2005 | H RX 05 WILD | 5,644 | 38 km |
| 1986 | WILDERNESS | 5,615 | 38 km |
| 1997 | WILDERNESS | 5,556 | 38 km |
| 2005 | CLEAR LAKE | 5,040 | 16 km |
| 2015 | RIDGE ROAD | 3,390 | 58 km |
| 2024 | CHARLSON | 3,055 | 48 km |
| 2005 | LOSTWOOD NON-NFP | 2,769 | 32 km |
| 2021 | 13 MILE FIRE | 2,585 | 94 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 67 km |
| 2007 | MUSKRAT LAKE | 2,344 | 49 km |
| 2006 | HB 35 | 2,164 | 68 km |
| 2023 | NDLWR-HFR-FY23-RX-ASPEN | 2,074 | 35 km |
| 2017 | NDLWR FY17 RX CENTRAL CORE | 1,899 | 34 km |
| 2016 | LWR WUI RX FESCUE 2016 | 1,802 | 32 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 | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 54°F (12°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 62°F (17°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 67°F (19°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 55°F (13°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.5 in |
Stanley has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 8°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.4").