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Weather & Climate in Watson, MN
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watson experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 73°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 27.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 51.0 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 1,030 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.9°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,030 ft (314 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,050/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.0101°N, 95.7998°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Chippewa County County |
| Nearest Airport | Southwest Minnesota Regional Marshall/Ryan Field (MML) 39 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 36.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 37.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 95.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 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 | 83 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 111 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
442 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 13 fatalities, 238 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1968 | EF5 | 94 km | 9.1 mi | 9 |
| Jul 25, 2000 | EF4 | 16 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 7, 1955 | EF4 | 67 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF3 | 84 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2008 | EF3 | 52 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF3 | 64 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 26 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 89 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 81 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 26 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 74 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 98 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 89 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 86 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 58 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 11, 2016 | EF2 | 99 km | 3.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2011 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2009 | EF2 | 48 km | 7.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2001 | EF2 | 37 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | LOUISBURGRADE | 6,487 | 41 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 22 km |
| 2004 | FISH FIRE | 1,799 | 46 km |
| 2005 | GRAND MEWS | 1,245 | 50 km |
| 1998 | LEE | 1,137 | 51 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,115 | 51 km |
| 2003 | ANDERSON | 1,082 | 47 km |
| 1998 | ANDREASEN | 1,001 | 47 km |
| 1990 | ANDERSON | 988 | 50 km |
| 2007 | ANDERSON | 797 | 47 km |
| 2006 | ANDERSON | 764 | 51 km |
| 1986 | ANDERSON | 746 | 47 km |
| 2000 | FISH | 720 | 48 km |
| 2010 | WALDEN | 717 | 59 km |
| 2007 | LEE | 689 | 52 km |
| 2000 | SVOR | 661 | 47 km |
| 2006 | MOSQUITO RANCH | 656 | 99 km |
| 2000 | ASHLEY N | 588 | 93 km |
| 2003 | LEE | 560 | 52 km |
| 1994 | ARTICHOKE | 556 | 44 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.8 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 2.0 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 2.8 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest, Wettest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.7 in |
Watson has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 14°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.5 inches, with July being the wettest month (3.5") and February the driest (0.7").