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Weather & Climate in Alpena, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Alpena experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°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 24.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 26.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,321 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.5°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,321 ft (403 m) |
| Area | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 214/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.1834°N, 98.3684°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jerauld County County |
| Nearest Airport | Huron Regional (HON) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 50.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 64.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
10 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 23 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 46 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
465 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 235 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 17 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 49 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 73 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 93 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 56 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 43 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 34 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 21 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 56 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 97 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 68 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 97 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 93 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 64 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 58 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 87 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HOLIDAY (2,936 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 76 km |
| 2000 | GANN VALLEY | 2,534 | 44 km |
| 2011 | HIGHWAY 47 | 1,800 | 92 km |
| 2005 | CHAOS | 1,539 | 84 km |
| 2023 | SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I | 1,185 | 83 km |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 22 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.4 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in |
Alpena has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 16°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").