Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Thompson, ND

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

Thompson has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 63°F. 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 22.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.7 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 867 feet.

Temperature

7°F Jan (-14°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average40.5°F
25% below US avg
January Average7°F (-14°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation867 ft (264 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density2,540/sq mi
Coordinates47.7746°N, 97.1044°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyGrand Forks County County
Nearest AirportGrand Forks International (GFK)
12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.8"
40% below US avg
Snowfall 48.7"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.19"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.55"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score57.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability14.4 / 100
Community Resilience78.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Tornado History

473 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 18 fatalities, 195 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 20, 1957 EF5 99 km 52.4 mi 10
Jun 17, 2010 EF4 30 km 17.0 mi 0
Aug 26, 2007 EF4 38 km 5.0 mi 1
Aug 27, 2016 EF3 32 km 3.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 2010 EF3 71 km 15.0 mi 1
Aug 26, 2007 EF3 62 km 6.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 1987 EF3 73 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1973 EF3 45 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 21, 1971 EF3 68 km 13.7 mi 0
Aug 11, 1958 EF3 16 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 30, 1956 EF3 100 km 5.1 mi 0
Aug 9, 2021 EF2 58 km 2.9 mi 0
Jun 8, 2019 EF2 74 km 3.6 mi 0
Jun 29, 2018 EF2 85 km 15.4 mi 0
Jul 11, 2017 EF2 45 km 11.6 mi 0
Jul 11, 2017 EF2 22 km 22.0 mi 0
Jul 11, 2017 EF2 76 km 12.8 mi 0
Aug 28, 2016 EF2 60 km 9.6 mi 0
Jun 27, 2015 EF2 22 km 3.0 mi 0
Jul 21, 2014 EF2 20 km 37.9 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OXCART (12,538 acres, 2021).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2021 OXCART 12,538 63 km
1987 UNNAMED 10,819 98 km
2012 COUNTY 27 FIRE 4,653 96 km
2008 POOL 21 3,482 99 km
2009 PARKER POOL 3,166 100 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,420 59 km
2003 ELM LAKE 2,350 99 km
2001 PARKER 12 A 2,337 100 km
2024 4 SQUARE MILE RX 2,320 65 km
2004 UNNAMED 2,113 99 km
2008 UNNAMED 2,092 64 km
2010 NELSON PRAIRIE MIDDLE WPA 1,779 92 km
2007 UNNAMED 1,764 96 km
2012 VIKING FIRE 1,698 77 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,695 96 km
2020 GRAVEL PIT 1,468 60 km
2010 AGASSIZ 1,425 100 km
2007 LINCOLN 1,369 89 km
2010 BEJOU WMA 1,270 90 km
2007 UNNAMED 1,270 60 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 7°F (-14°C) 0.7 in Coldest
February 12°F (-11°C) 0.6 in Driest
March 25°F (-4°C) 0.9 in
April 42°F (5°C) 1.3 in
May 56°F (14°C) 2.2 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.2 in Wettest
July 70°F (21°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 68°F (20°C) 2.8 in
September 58°F (14°C) 2.0 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.7 in
November 26°F (-3°C) 0.8 in
December 12°F (-11°C) 0.6 in

Thompson has a seasonal temperature swing of 63°F / from 7°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and February the driest (0.6").

View full profile of Thompson, ND →