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Weather & Climate in Verndale, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Verndale has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 40°F (5°C). Winters average 8°F in January while summers reach 68°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 29.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.8 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 1,348 feet.
Temperature
8°F Jan (-13°C)
68°F Jul (20°C)
| Annual Average | 40.2°F |
| 26% below US avg | |
| January Average | 8°F (-13°C) |
| July Average | 68°F (20°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,348 ft (411 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 465/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.3969°N, 95.0122°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Otter Tail County County |
| Nearest Airport | Brainerd Lakes Regional (BRD) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 79.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 53.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 92.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 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 | 127 km | 10 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 61 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
317 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 18 fatalities, 222 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 79 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 13 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 48 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF4 | 74 km | 32.3 mi | 12 |
| Jun 11, 1966 | EF4 | 56 km | 72.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 2008 | EF3 | 65 km | 7.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 35 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 18, 1997 | EF3 | 82 km | 17.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 5, 1991 | EF3 | 51 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 26, 1977 | EF3 | 40 km | 26.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1973 | EF3 | 75 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1969 | EF3 | 42 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 93 km | 4.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2024 | EF2 | 66 km | 3.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2024 | EF2 | 80 km | 14.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2022 | EF2 | 73 km | 30.9 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 80 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 95 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 12 km | 10.5 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 | 49 km |
| 2009 | CENTER TANK RANGE | 6,131 | 50 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 4,475 | 50 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 3,642 | 82 km |
| 2009 | HENDRICKSON IMPACT AREA | 2,757 | 50 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 97 km |
| 2009 | EAST TANK RANGE | 1,801 | 51 km |
| 1987 | UNNAMED | 1,655 | 80 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 1,589 | 90 km |
| 2012 | JEEP FIRE | 1,437 | 23 km |
| 2000 | 00 14 | 1,377 | 80 km |
| 1998 | WEST SKUNK | 1,129 | 79 km |
| 2000 | UNIT 1 | 1,073 | 78 km |
| 1986 | UNNAMED | 1,025 | 87 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 981 | 99 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 886 | 98 km |
| 2002 | 1000 AC S | 880 | 79 km |
| 1985 | UNNAMED | 880 | 57 km |
| 1990 | UNNAMED | 824 | 97 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 774 | 92 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8°F (-13°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.6 in | Driest |
| March | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 42°F (6°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 67°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 2.4 in | |
| November | 27°F (-3°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.8 in |
Verndale has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 8°F in January to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 26.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.3") and February the driest (0.6").