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Weather & Climate in Tower, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Tower has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 37°F (3°C). Winters average 5°F in January while summers reach 64°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 28.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 68.7 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 1,439 feet.
Temperature
5°F Jan (-15°C)
64°F Jul (18°C)
| Annual Average | 36.9°F |
| 32% below US avg | |
| January Average | 5°F (-15°C) |
| July Average | 64°F (18°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,439 ft (439 m) |
| Area | 3.4 sq mi (8.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 146/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.8158°N, 92.2747°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | St. Louis County County |
| Nearest Airport | Range Regional (HIB) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 91.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 32.4 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 98.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
| Coastal Flood | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
1 earthquake (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M2.7.
| Mar 19, 2018 | 75 km ESE of Atikokan, Canada | M2.7 | 147 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
46 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 3 fatalities, 17 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 86 km | 17.2 mi | 2 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 48 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 11 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 2 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1977 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF2 | 26 km | 1.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF2 | 10 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF2 | 5 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 6, 1959 | EF2 | 59 km | 30.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 19, 2024 | EF1 | 81 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2019 | EF1 | 48 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2019 | EF1 | 97 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2017 | EF1 | 100 km | 0.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2016 | EF1 | 69 km | 7.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1988 | EF1 | 58 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Sep 5, 1987 | EF1 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1980 | EF1 | 24 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 1978 | EF1 | 29 km | 14.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1978 | EF1 | 89 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1976 | EF1 | 97 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: PAGAMI CREEK (85,116 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | PAGAMI CREEK | 85,116 | 73 km |
| 2021 | GREENWOOD | 28,255 | 59 km |
| 2005 | WEST ZONE RX BURN | 9,523 | 21 km |
| 1996 | WHITEFEATHER LAKE | 4,286 | 45 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 4,053 | 9 km |
| 1995 | LITTLE GABBRO | 3,145 | 53 km |
| 2010 | KEK SPIDER 302 | 3,039 | 85 km |
| 2006 | TURTLE LAKE | 2,167 | 56 km |
| 2000 | UNNAMED | 1,874 | 29 km |
| 1992 | UNNAMED | 1,581 | 10 km |
| 2021 | JOHN EK | 1,421 | 96 km |
| 2004 | SUPERIOR RX BURN 2 | 1,128 | 64 km |
| 2004 | SECTION 33 WFU | 1,064 | 89 km |
| 1998 | UNNAMED | 958 | 73 km |
| 2016 | FOSS LAKE | 917 | 19 km |
| 2021 | BEZHIK | 805 | 29 km |
| 2016 | SKIBO | 763 | 39 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 621 | 49 km |
| 2003 | FEN | 619 | 63 km |
| 2009 | EVELETH RX | 586 | 75 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 5°F (-15°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
| February | 9°F (-13°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| March | 22°F (-6°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 37°F (3°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 60°F (15°C) | 4.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 64°F (18°C) | 3.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 63°F (17°C) | 3.9 in | |
| September | 54°F (12°C) | 3.8 in | |
| October | 43°F (6°C) | 2.8 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.9 in |
Tower has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 5°F in January to 64°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.5") and February the driest (0.8").