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Weather & Climate in Thief River Falls, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Thief River Falls 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 200 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. The city sits at an elevation of 1,119 feet.
Temperature
5°F Jan (-15°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 39.9°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 5°F (-15°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 200 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,119 ft (341 m) |
| Area | 5.2 sq mi (13.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,474/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 48.1112°N, 96.1776°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Pennington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Thief River Falls Regional (TVF) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 19.3 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tornado History
335 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 fatalities, 74 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 27, 2016 | EF3 | 98 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF3 | 52 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 11, 1958 | EF3 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2023 | EF2 | 97 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 2019 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2018 | EF2 | 64 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2017 | EF2 | 99 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2016 | EF2 | 70 km | 9.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 2015 | EF2 | 100 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 2014 | EF2 | 68 km | 37.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 22, 2013 | EF2 | 92 km | 21.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 2010 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF2 | 87 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF2 | 94 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 2007 | EF2 | 73 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF2 | 50 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2005 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 2005 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1999 | EF2 | 71 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1997 | EF2 | 77 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (131,401 acres, 1987).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 131,401 | 54 km |
| 2003 | REINER 36 | 67,641 | 55 km |
| 1989 | UNNAMED | 66,422 | 54 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 43,533 | 53 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 37,840 | 58 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 32,693 | 57 km |
| 2011 | JUNEBERRY 3 | 29,455 | 89 km |
| 1987 | SANDY LAKE | 26,617 | 54 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 26,345 | 31 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 22,647 | 99 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 22,262 | 88 km |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 21,954 | 87 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 17,778 | 86 km |
| 1998 | RL3 | 14,882 | 58 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 14,432 | 96 km |
| 2018 | 2018 HIGHWAY 1 RXB | 13,170 | 58 km |
| 2021 | OXCART | 12,538 | 43 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 10,819 | 20 km |
| 2018 | NORTH COUNTY ROAD 7 | 9,471 | 93 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 9,281 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°F (-15°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 11°F (-12°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 41°F (5°C) | 1.5 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 2.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 44°F (6°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in |
Thief River Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 5°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (0.4").