Weather & Climate in Upsala, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Upsala has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39. 77% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,196 feet.
Temperature
10°F Jan (-12°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.0°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 10°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,196 ft (365 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 122/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8129°N, 94.5637°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Stearns County County |
| Nearest Airport | St Cloud Regional (STC) 31 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 77.0% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Moderate |
| Risk Score | 87.6 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 96.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively High |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively High |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 135 km | 10 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 78 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
385 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 178 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 82 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 74 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 11, 1966 | EF4 | 92 km | 72.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF3 | 94 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 71 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1997 | EF3 | 49 km | 17.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 1, 1997 | EF3 | 88 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 92 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1991 | EF3 | 75 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 3, 1980 | EF3 | 41 km | 3.8 mi | 1 |
| Aug 26, 1977 | EF3 | 60 km | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1973 | EF3 | 77 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 73 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 31 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2024 | EF2 | 93 km | 14.7 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 65 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 65 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 71 km | 18.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 77 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (9,055 acres, 2007).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2007 | UNNAMED | 9,055 | 48 km |
| 2009 | CENTER TANK RANGE | 6,131 | 44 km |
| 2002 | UNIT 4 | 5,887 | 70 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 37 38 39 A | 4,879 | 78 km |
| 1998 | UNITS 1617 | 4,649 | 75 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,475 | 44 km |
| 2005 | RX HFR 05 | 4,253 | 75 km |
| 2009 | BU9 | 4,112 | 70 km |
| 2007 | WUI 07 - UNIT 36 | 4,025 | 79 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,642 | 63 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 25 | 3,412 | 79 km |
| 2009 | BU11 | 3,242 | 73 km |
| 1997 | BIG | 2,987 | 76 km |
| 2009 | HENDRICKSON IMPACT AREA | 2,757 | 52 km |
| 2003 | UNITS 34 33 W | 2,637 | 78 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 8E RX | 2,551 | 72 km |
| 1992 | SHARPTAIL | 2,288 | 78 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 2,243 | 59 km |
| 2010 | WUI 10 UNIT D | 2,042 | 78 km |
| 1996 | UNNAMED | 1,906 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.5 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 4.6 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 68°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.9 in |
Upsala has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 10°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.4 inches, with July being the wettest month (4.6") and January the driest (0.6").