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Weather & Climate in Watford City, ND
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watford City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 13°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 15.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.4 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 2,057 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-10°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.1°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 273 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,057 ft (627 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 674/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 47.8015°N, 103.2667°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McKenzie County County |
| Nearest Airport | Williston Basin International (XWA) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 38.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 25.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 43.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.8.
| Feb 25, 2014 | 23 km N of Brockton, Montana | M3.8 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 1998 | 16 km WNW of Froid, Montana | M3.8 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Nov 11, 1998 | 10 km SW of Grenora, North Dakota | M3.5 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Sep 28, 2012 | 22 km ESE of Williston, North Dakota | M3.3 | 28 km | 5 km |
| May 6, 2014 | 12 km NNW of Knife River, Montana | M2.6 | 92 km | 8 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
114 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 41 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 5, 1955 | EF4 | 99 km | 28.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 1974 | EF3 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 10, 1952 | EF3 | 98 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 2018 | EF2 | 3 km | 0.5 mi | 1 |
| Jun 1, 2018 | EF2 | 51 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 2014 | EF2 | 10 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 27, 1982 | EF2 | 58 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1978 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1976 | EF2 | 70 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1976 | EF2 | 98 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1962 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1958 | EF2 | 90 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1953 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF2 | 21 km | 9.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2024 | EF1 | 76 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2018 | EF1 | 98 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2015 | EF1 | 73 km | 17.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 21, 1999 | EF1 | 80 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1990 | EF1 | 71 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE (67,150 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | WILLIAMS CO WILDLAND FIRE | 67,150 | 67 km |
| 1999 | GAP/ROUGH CREEK | 53,708 | 48 km |
| 1988 | BAINVILLE | 12,790 | 67 km |
| 2021 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 9,886 | 58 km |
| 1988 | MURPHY | 8,918 | 51 km |
| 1999 | ROUGH CRK | 7,887 | 18 km |
| 2018 | 18 DONUT HOLE | 7,838 | 95 km |
| 2012 | LITTLE SWALLOW | 6,304 | 54 km |
| 1988 | MIKES CREEK | 5,309 | 74 km |
| 2017 | MAGPIE FIRE | 5,056 | 54 km |
| 2021 | ROOSEVELT CREEK | 4,608 | 77 km |
| 2021 | HORSE PASTURE | 4,431 | 19 km |
| 2015 | RIDGE ROAD | 3,390 | 34 km |
| 1988 | MONTANA LINE | 3,307 | 59 km |
| 1988 | CINNAMON CREEK | 3,204 | 56 km |
| 2024 | CHARLSON | 3,055 | 39 km |
| 2021 | ELKHORN | 2,784 | 66 km |
| 2021 | 13 MILE FIRE | 2,585 | 65 km |
| 2014 | 14 BEEF CORRAL WASH | 2,471 | 93 km |
| 1988 | DANKS | 2,425 | 55 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| April | 44°F (6°C) | 1.4 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 58°F (14°C) | 1.6 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in |
Watford City has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 13°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and February the driest (0.4").