Nelson County Climate

Nelson County, North Dakota

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec38.6°AVG °F

Avg Annual Temp

38.6°F

Annual Precip

20.2"

Annual Snowfall

42.5"

Extreme Heat Days

5

days >= 90°F/yr

Monthly Temperature

54.4°F avgJFMAMJJASOND

Precipitation Calendar

Dry
Wet= snowfall
0.4"
0.5"
0.5"
0.9"
2.8"
3.8"
3.6"
2.5"
2.1"
1.7"
0.7"
0.6"
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Seasonal Overview

Comfort ZoneSpring22°53°4.2"Summer64°68°10.0"Fall26°57°4.5"Winter5°12°1.5"20°40°60°80°100°

National Comparison

Warmer than 1% of US counties
Wetter than 15% of US counties
More seasonal variation than 95% of US counties

Climate Profile

About Nelson County Weather

Extreme Northern Cold Patterns

Nelson County's 38.6°F average annual temperature is one of the lowest in the country. This reflects an environment with very short growing seasons and intense winters.

One of the Coldest in ND

Nelson is significantly colder than the state average of 41.0°F. Its precipitation of 20.2 inches is slightly higher than the state's 19.5-inch average.

Fewer Hot Days than Neighbors

With only 5 days over 90°F, Nelson is much cooler in summer than Morton's 19 days. It is one of the mildest summer counties in the entire region.

A Challenging Winter Average

January is exceptionally cold here, averaging only 4.8°F. While the county sees 42.5 inches of snow, the summer average is a comfortable 66.2°F.

Plan for Sustained Freezing Temps

Winter safety is paramount when January averages stay below 5°F. Outdoor summer events rarely need heat contingency plans due to the low frequency of extreme heat.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average temperature in Nelson County?
The average annual temperature in Nelson County, ND is 38.6°F, based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
How much rain does Nelson County get?
Nelson County receives an average of 20.2 inches of precipitation per year, including both rain and meltwater from snow. This is based on NOAA 30-year climate normals.
Does it snow in Nelson County?
Yes, Nelson County receives an average of 42.5 inches of snowfall per year according to NOAA climate normals.
How hot does Nelson County get in summer?
The average summer temperature (June-August) in Nelson County is 66.2°F. The county experiences an average of 5 days per year above 90°F.
How cold are winters in Nelson County?
The average winter temperature (December-February) in Nelson County is 8.5°F. January, typically the coldest month, averages 4.8°F.

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Data source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020.

Climate normals are 30-year averages of weather variables computed from 1991 to 2020. Station data is aggregated to county level using spatial averaging. Data is informational only — not a substitute for official National Weather Service forecasts or emergency weather warnings.

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