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Weather & Climate in Aberdeen, SD

Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.

Aberdeen has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 71°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 22.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,299 feet.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.8°F
21% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,299 ft (396 m)
Area16.6 sq mi (43.0 km²)
Population Density1,708/sq mi
Coordinates45.4647°N, 98.4681°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBrown County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.4"
41% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.39"
Driest Month (Dec) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score73.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.1 / 100
Community Resilience85.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Very Low
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 130 km 5 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 124 km 5 km
Aug 15, 2017 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota M3.0 136 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

374 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 55 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 22, 2010 EF4 100 km 5.7 mi 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 24 km 9.0 mi 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 97 km 14.0 mi 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 32 km 10.0 mi 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 1 km 32.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 91 km 5.0 mi 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 87 km 27.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 83 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 24 km 0.3 mi 1
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 30 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 31, 1966 EF3 98 km 26.4 mi 2
May 20, 1965 EF3 51 km 3.8 mi 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 19 km 156.3 mi 1
Jun 9, 1957 EF3 71 km 1.0 mi 0
Aug 30, 2020 EF2 93 km 1.6 mi 1
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 34 km 2.7 mi 0
Jul 10, 2011 EF2 82 km 26.0 mi 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 46 km 1.3 mi 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 43 km 18.6 mi 0
Jun 29, 2005 EF2 85 km 8.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROHRBACH (2,887 acres, 2022).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2022 ROHRBACH 2,887 79 km
2003 JOEL BERTSCH 2 1,460 93 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 18 km
2016 SLR 2016 RX MICHELL 1,242 52 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 48 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 91 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 11°F (-12°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February 18°F (-8°C) 0.5 in
March 30°F (-1°C) 1.3 in
April 45°F (7°C) 1.9 in
May 58°F (14°C) 2.7 in
June 67°F (19°C) 3.4 in Wettest
July 71°F (22°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 2.4 in
September 60°F (16°C) 1.8 in
October 47°F (8°C) 1.6 in
November 29°F (-2°C) 0.8 in
December 16°F (-9°C) 0.4 in Driest

Aberdeen has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 11°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and December the driest (0.4").

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