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Weather & Climate in Belle Fourche, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Belle Fourche experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 311 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 18.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.2 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 3,127 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.9°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,127 ft (953 m) |
| Area | 9.0 sq mi (23.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 638/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.6638°N, 103.8591°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 52 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
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
15 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 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 77 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 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 100 km | 10 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 133 km | 8 km |
| Jan 5, 2004 | 28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M2.8 | 119 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1993 | 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota | M2.7 | 30 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2013 | 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana | M2.6 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Nov 5, 1991 | 1 km ESE of Lead, South Dakota | M2.5 | 36 km | 0 km |
| Jan 24, 2004 | 8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota | M2.5 | 91 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
166 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 42 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF4 | 69 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF3 | 84 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 94 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF3 | 36 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF3 | 72 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF3 | 62 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1965 | EF3 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1965 | EF3 | 56 km | 20.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1963 | EF3 | 49 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 45 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 45 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 100 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 81 km | 6.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2015 | EF2 | 73 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2014 | EF2 | 57 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF2 | 46 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1993 | EF2 | 38 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.0 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 | 94 km |
| 2012 | OIL CREEK | 63,182 | 82 km |
| 2006 | THORN DIVIDE COMPLEX | 15,261 | 78 km |
| 2002 | BATTLE CREEK | 15,034 | 92 km |
| 2015 | SHEEP DRAW | 13,837 | 79 km |
| 2002 | GRIZZLY GULCH | 11,487 | 37 km |
| 2000 | CEDAR BUTTE | 9,154 | 88 km |
| 2022 | FISH | 7,045 | 55 km |
| 2000 | CAMP CROOK COMPLEX | 6,927 | 97 km |
| 2016 | KARA CREEK | 6,543 | 73 km |
| 1988 | NEW HAVEN | 6,118 | 81 km |
| 2000 | WOOD DRAW | 5,792 | 76 km |
| 1988 | SHORT PINES | 5,516 | 81 km |
| 2004 | BASIN DRAW | 4,655 | 33 km |
| 2008 | BASELINE BUGS PB | 4,315 | 74 km |
| 1988 | MCDOWELLE | 4,096 | 74 km |
| 1988 | WESTBERRY TRAIL | 3,944 | 78 km |
| 1992 | HERMOSA FIRE | 3,905 | 100 km |
| 2000 | LICKINY | 3,802 | 69 km |
| 1985 | LANTZ | 3,737 | 41 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 65°F (19°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.8 in |
Belle Fourche has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 25°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.6").