Weather & Climate in Allen, SD

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

Allen experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 291 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 20.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.4 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 3,296 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.4°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-5°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,296 ft (1,005 m)
Area	3.2 sq mi (8.4 km²)
Population Density	265/sq mi
Coordinates	43.2791°N, 101.9265°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Bennett County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 77 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.7"

46% below US avg

Snowfall 48.4"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.31"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	93.8 / 100
Community Resilience	2.7 / 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	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

25 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	24 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	47 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	119 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	119 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	127 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	144 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	132 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	47 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	137 km	9 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	63 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	99 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	114 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	73 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	90 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	112 km	8 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	100 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	43 km	9 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	128 km	5 km
Apr 24, 2007	23 km WSW of Hay Springs, Nebraska	M2.7	113 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	116 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

203 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 74 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 6, 1963	EF3	17 km	24.4 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	26 km	28.3 mi	0
Jul 26, 2016	EF2	60 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	29 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	70 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	79 km	15.0 mi	1
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	86 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Mar 29, 1982	EF2	12 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	83 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1978	EF2	46 km	11.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	48 km	15.9 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	87 km	20.9 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	83 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 8, 1973	EF2	89 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF2	80 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 26, 1964	EF2	90 km	0.1 mi	0
May 2, 1964	EF2	63 km	14.8 mi	0
May 20, 1962	EF2	69 km	3.6 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELLNITZ (77,277 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	WELLNITZ	77,277	69 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	100 km
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	70 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	69 km
2007	STAMPEDE	22,848	64 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	17 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	84 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	72 km
1985	4TH OFJULY	18,177	63 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	87 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	94 km
2000	HASNOHORSE	13,420	33 km
2022	CASINO	11,583	81 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	54 km
2000	DECKER	10,883	20 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	88 km
2000	PEPPER CREEK	8,915	51 km
2002	WANNA	7,699	69 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	90 km
2002	COTTONWOOD	6,696	33 km

Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	56°F (13°C)	3.0 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	2.8 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.7 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.4 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	33°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Allen has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.3").

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