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Weather & Climate in Steele, ND

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Steele has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 69°F in July. 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 21.4 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 1,862 feet.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 69°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average41.6°F
23% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average69°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,862 ft (568 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density1,325/sq mi
Coordinates46.8568°N, 99.9181°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyKidder County County
Nearest AirportBismarck Municipal (BIS)
40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.4"
44% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.19"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score3.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience20.5 / 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 Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

249 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 3 fatalities, 66 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 29, 1953 EF5 73 km 14.8 mi 2
Aug 11, 2002 EF4 48 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1952 EF4 49 km 48.0 mi 1
Jul 30, 1981 EF3 93 km 23.9 mi 0
May 25, 1978 EF3 75 km 2.5 mi 0
Aug 19, 1974 EF3 78 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 1, 1955 EF3 61 km 1.3 mi 0
Jun 15, 1952 EF3 67 km 1.7 mi 0
Jul 10, 2011 EF2 52 km 12.0 mi 0
Jul 17, 2001 EF2 36 km 30.0 mi 0
Aug 15, 1999 EF2 37 km 15.0 mi 0
Jun 3, 1999 EF2 3 km 4.0 mi 0
May 30, 1985 EF2 47 km 0.5 mi 0
Jul 4, 1982 EF2 39 km 5.0 mi 0
Jun 11, 1976 EF2 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 19, 1974 EF2 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 19, 1974 EF2 33 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 19, 1974 EF2 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 19, 1974 EF2 42 km 0.1 mi 0
May 26, 1974 EF2 45 km 1.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

19 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (7,593 acres, 1988).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
1988 UNNAMED 7,593 100 km
2003 MCCLEAN BOTTOMS 6,421 59 km
1994 CHICAGOLAKE 4,606 44 km
2015 CANNON BALL 3,068 78 km
2004 FISCHER 2,578 80 km
2000 NEUGERFIRE 2,150 89 km
2008 GRADER 1,745 72 km
2002 BISRURAL2 1,649 59 km
2015 BIG LAKE FIRE 1,587 76 km
1993 UNNAMED 1,492 58 km
1985 CHASE LAKE 1,215 38 km
2018 EAST JIM LAKE 1,214 91 km
2002 BALE II 1,179 78 km
1999 SOLEN 1,155 89 km
2006 RICE LAKE 1 1,150 32 km
2017 NDAWR FY17 RX G10 11 12 D5 1,148 91 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,049 60 km
2005 KIMBALL BOTTOMS FIRE 1,028 61 km
2000 MAC2 1,018 73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 11°F (-12°C) 0.4 in Coldest, Driest
February 14°F (-10°C) 0.4 in
March 26°F (-3°C) 0.8 in
April 41°F (5°C) 1.7 in
May 55°F (13°C) 2.5 in
June 64°F (18°C) 3.2 in Wettest
July 69°F (21°C) 2.4 in Warmest
August 69°F (20°C) 1.7 in
September 58°F (14°C) 1.7 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.2 in
November 28°F (-2°C) 0.5 in
December 14°F (-10°C) 0.4 in

Steele has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 11°F in January to 69°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").

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