Prairie City, SD

Full City Profile · South Dakota · Perkins County County

5.0 /5.0

A+ Excellent

18 Population 13/sq mi density

41°F Avg Temperature 311 sunny days/yr

A+

Overall

5.0 / 5.0

Strong

A+

Education

5.0 / 5.0

0.0% bachelor's degree or higher

Prairie City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 41°F (5°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. The area gets 311 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 16.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35.

Temperature

16°F Jan (-9°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)

Annual Average	41.1°F
	24% below US avg
January Average	16°F (-9°C)
July Average	67°F (19°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,853 ft (870 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²)
Population Density	13/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5361°N, 102.8171°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Perkins County County
Nearest Airport	Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 87 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.9"

56% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	2.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	13.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

4 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.2. Most recent: M2.6 on Jun 8, 2025.

Sep 25, 2009	15 km E of Alzada, Montana	M4.2	123 km
Sep 5, 1993	4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota	M2.7	148 km
Jul 29, 2013	18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana	M2.6	124 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	150 km

Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990–2025)

Tornado History

115 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 5 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Fatalities
Jul 7, 1969	EF4	78 km	0
Jun 28, 2018	EF3	96 km	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	87 km	0
Jul 18, 1963	EF3	78 km	0
Jun 2, 2024	EF2	65 km	0
Jun 28, 2018	EF2	86 km	0
Jun 28, 2018	EF2	73 km	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	52 km	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	66 km	0
Jul 18, 1986	EF2	46 km	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	88 km	0
May 25, 1972	EF2	19 km	0
May 21, 1972	EF2	83 km	0
Aug 12, 1969	EF2	48 km	0
Jul 17, 1969	EF2	63 km	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	57 km	0
Aug 1, 1964	EF2	27 km	0
Jun 21, 2016	EF1	92 km	0
Jun 30, 2015	EF1	68 km	0
Jul 18, 2011	EF1	38 km	0

Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950–2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: WINDY (16,866 ac, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres	Distance
2021	WINDY	16,866	60 km
2015	SHEEP DRAW	13,837	85 km
1999	FAITH	12,629	79 km
2013	PAUTRE	11,733	42 km
2021	DIVIDE CA	10,635	15 km
2006	BLACK HORSE CREEK	8,000	61 km
2024	TRAVIN	7,917	66 km
2000	CAMP CROOK COMPLEX	6,927	83 km
1999	MILL IRON	6,494	100 km
1988	SHORT PINES	5,516	88 km
2006	KELLY	5,071	46 km
2000	LICKINY	3,802	65 km
2015	MOONSHINE	2,768	29 km
2000	PASTURE 9 BURN	2,768	63 km
2007	HAY CREEK	2,655	22 km
2001	LEMON BUTTE	2,556	70 km
2003	MEAT HOOK	2,522	34 km
2006	RED OWL	2,470	99 km
2002	TRAVERS	2,403	71 km
2007	HARRIS	2,369	39 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	16°F (-9°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	22°F (-6°C)	0.4 in
March	31°F (-1°C)	0.8 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.9 in
May	55°F (13°C)	2.8 in
June	64°F (18°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	67°F (19°C)	2.0 in
August	70°F (21°C)	1.5 in	Warmest
September	59°F (15°C)	1.3 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	31°F (-1°C)	0.5 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	0.4 in

Prairie City has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 16°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").

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