Weather & Climate in Stephen, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Stephen has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (4°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°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 22.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.6 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 829 feet.
Temperature
5°F Jan (-15°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 39.5°F |
| 27% below US avg | |
| January Average | 5°F (-15°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 269 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 829 ft (253 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 663/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.4524°N, 96.8763°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Kittson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Grand Forks International (GFK) 37 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
352 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 50 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 26, 2007 | EF4 | 98 km | 5.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 6, 1999 | EF4 | 69 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2004 | EF3 | 54 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1958 | EF3 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 96 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2015 | EF2 | 90 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 19, 2014 | EF2 | 47 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2014 | EF2 | 84 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2010 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF2 | 69 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2007 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2005 | EF2 | 54 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2005 | EF2 | 50 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2005 | EF2 | 48 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2005 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF2 | 69 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2005 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 2004 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.7 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JUNEBERRY 3 (29,455 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | JUNEBERRY 3 | 29,455 | 65 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 26,345 | 75 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,647 | 80 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 22,262 | 68 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 21,954 | 68 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 17,778 | 50 km |
| 2003 | CARIBOU | 16,184 | 65 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,432 | 78 km |
| 2021 | OXCART | 12,538 | 92 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 11,927 | 62 km |
| 2003 | UNNAMED | 11,544 | 61 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,819 | 70 km |
| 2018 | NORTH COUNTY ROAD 7 | 9,471 | 61 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 9,194 | 62 km |
| 2003 | CANADA | 7,065 | 78 km |
| 2006 | UNNAMED | 6,964 | 55 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 6,057 | 50 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 5,891 | 63 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 5,817 | 78 km |
| 2024 | AGASSIZ NWR PROJECT RX | 5,562 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest |
| February | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.3 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.1 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (19°C) | 2.3 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 44°F (7°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in |
Stephen has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 5°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.5").
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