Weather & Climate in Ashland Heights, SD

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

Ashland Heights experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°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 20.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 53.7 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 3,164 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.0°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,164 ft (964 m)
Area	2.9 sq mi (7.6 km²)
Population Density	392/sq mi
Coordinates	44.1334°N, 103.1237°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lawrence County County
Nearest Airport	Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 1 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.0"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 53.7"

Wettest Month (May) 2.99"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	49.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	35.5 / 100
Community Resilience	54.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

22 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.

Sep 25, 2009	15 km E of Alzada, Montana	M4.2	131 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	104 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	142 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	51 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	53 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	38 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	103 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	105 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	45 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	141 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	74 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	73 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	66 km	8 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	87 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	92 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	92 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	96 km	9 km
Sep 5, 1993	4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota	M2.7	62 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	82 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	42 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

173 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 45 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 29, 1993	EF3	78 km	3.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF3	11 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF3	98 km	11.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1965	EF3	62 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 12, 1965	EF3	91 km	20.8 mi	0
Jul 18, 1963	EF3	97 km	2.3 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	80 km	2.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	76 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	32 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	33 km	19.7 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	91 km	22.3 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	54 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	45 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	9 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1972	EF2	66 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	70 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1972	EF2	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 23, 1969	EF2	48 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	65 km	13.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JASPER (82,298 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	JASPER	82,298	70 km
2012	OIL CREEK	63,182	95 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	56 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	97 km
2006	WHITE OWL	20,022	83 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	88 km
2003	RED POINT	18,057	93 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	93 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	45 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	31 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	58 km
2001	ELK MOUNTAIN 2	13,758	88 km
2001	ROGERS SHACK	11,794	79 km
2002	GRIZZLY GULCH	11,487	52 km
2001	WEST HELL CANYON	11,097	95 km
2007	ALABAUGH	10,650	93 km
2012	WHITE DRAW	9,297	97 km
1985	SEVEN SISTERS	8,465	89 km
2000	FLAGPOLE MOUNTAIN	7,703	97 km
2012	MYRTLE	7,645	71 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.0 in
May	56°F (13°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
June	66°F (19°C)	2.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.7 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.2 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.4 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Ashland Heights has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 26°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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