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Weather & Climate in Big Stone City, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Big Stone City has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 13°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 26.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.0 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 1,097 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 44.7°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,097 ft (334 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 508/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.3087°N, 96.4726°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Big Stone County County |
| Nearest Airport | Watertown Regional (ATY) 43 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 8.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 38.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 77.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 43 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 61 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 105 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
426 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 93 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 96 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 90 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 2000 | EF4 | 78 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 7, 1955 | EF4 | 95 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF3 | 63 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF3 | 17 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 79 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 77 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1983 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 79 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 86 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 83 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 92 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 96 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 73 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 77 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 75 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 80 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | LOUISBURGRADE | 6,487 | 21 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 96 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 41 km |
| 2004 | FISH FIRE | 1,799 | 16 km |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 83 km |
| 2005 | GRAND MEWS | 1,245 | 13 km |
| 1998 | LEE | 1,137 | 11 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 97 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,115 | 11 km |
| 2003 | ANDERSON | 1,082 | 16 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 97 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 95 km |
| 1998 | ANDREASEN | 1,001 | 15 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 67 km |
| 1990 | ANDERSON | 988 | 12 km |
| 2007 | ANDERSON | 797 | 16 km |
| 2006 | ANDERSON | 764 | 12 km |
| 1986 | ANDERSON | 746 | 16 km |
| 2000 | FISH | 720 | 14 km |
| 2010 | WALDEN | 717 | 64 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
Big Stone City has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 13°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and December the driest (0.5").