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Weather & Climate in Turtle Lake, ND

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

Turtle Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. The area gets 273 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 18.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.1 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 1,878 feet.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average41.1°F
24% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days273 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,878 ft (572 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density984/sq mi
Coordinates47.5215°N, 100.8908°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountySheridan County County
Nearest AirportBismarck Municipal (BIS)
52 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.2"
52% below US avg
Snowfall 44.1"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.39"
Driest Month (Feb) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median38.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score5.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience31.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
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: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 43 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jul 1, 1952 EF4 60 km 48.0 mi 1
Jul 30, 1981 EF3 90 km 23.9 mi 0
May 25, 1978 EF3 77 km 2.5 mi 0
May 30, 1958 EF3 93 km 10.7 mi 0
Jun 18, 1956 EF3 73 km 10.6 mi 0
Jun 5, 1956 EF3 24 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 15, 2022 EF2 27 km 2.3 mi 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF2 36 km 2.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 2004 EF2 63 km 8.0 mi 0
Jun 18, 1990 EF2 69 km 6.0 mi 0
May 30, 1985 EF2 58 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 6, 1982 EF2 74 km 10.0 mi 0
May 24, 1975 EF2 73 km 33.7 mi 0
Jun 4, 1974 EF2 96 km 0.3 mi 0
May 20, 1965 EF2 61 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 2, 1960 EF2 92 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 16, 1957 EF2 60 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 17, 1956 EF2 59 km 37.1 mi 0
Aug 3, 1955 EF2 23 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 6, 1954 EF2 79 km 2.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM (1,705 acres, 2006).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2006 RIVERDALE WOODS/DOWNSTREAM 1,705 40 km
1988 UNNAMED 1,678 93 km
1993 UNNAMED 1,492 100 km
2006 RICE LAKE 1 1,150 74 km
2007 ROBINSON SUNFLOWER 1,115 32 km
1999 UNNAMED 1,062 71 km
2002 UNNAMED 1,049 97 km
2005 KIMBALL BOTTOMS FIRE 1,028 95 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 11°F (-12°C) 0.6 in Coldest
February 15°F (-9°C) 0.5 in Driest
March 26°F (-3°C) 0.8 in
April 41°F (5°C) 1.8 in
May 55°F (13°C) 2.2 in
June 64°F (18°C) 3.4 in Wettest
July 70°F (21°C) 2.5 in Warmest
August 68°F (20°C) 2.0 in
September 57°F (14°C) 1.7 in
October 45°F (7°C) 1.0 in
November 27°F (-3°C) 0.5 in
December 14°F (-10°C) 0.5 in

Turtle Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 11°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and February the driest (0.5").

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