Weather & Climate in Bison, SD

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

Bison experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 72°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 18.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.7 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 2,774 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	45.7°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	20°F (-7°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,774 ft (846 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density	423/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5236°N, 102.4677°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Perkins County County
Nearest Airport	Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 90 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.1"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 39.7"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.99"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	2.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	13.3 / 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	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

2 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	147 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	148 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

134 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 7 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	60 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1963	EF3	97 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2024	EF2	55 km	4.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2011	EF2	95 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	86 km	1.4 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	47 km	22.9 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	26 km	8.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 1986	EF2	19 km	10.5 mi	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	93 km	1.5 mi	0
May 25, 1972	EF2	9 km	2.0 mi	0
May 21, 1972	EF2	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 12, 1969	EF2	21 km	6.1 mi	0
Jul 17, 1969	EF2	47 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	36 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF2	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 1964	EF2	0 km	0.8 mi	0
Jul 12, 2019	EF1	98 km	2.9 mi	0
Jun 21, 2016	EF1	88 km	3.2 mi	0
Jun 30, 2015	EF1	90 km	3.9 mi	0
Jul 18, 2011	EF1	64 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: WINDY (16,866 acres, 2021).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2021	WINDY	16,866	44 km
1999	FAITH	12,629	63 km
2013	PAUTRE	11,733	34 km
2021	DIVIDE CA	10,635	13 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	96 km
2006	BLACK HORSE CREEK	8,000	34 km
2024	TRAVIN	7,917	93 km
2006	KELLY	5,071	26 km
2000	LICKINY	3,802	78 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	98 km
2015	MOONSHINE	2,768	57 km
2000	PASTURE 9 BURN	2,768	38 km
2007	HAY CREEK	2,655	17 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	95 km
2001	LEMON BUTTE	2,556	60 km
2003	MEAT HOOK	2,522	60 km
2006	RED OWL	2,470	97 km
2002	TRAVERS	2,403	97 km
2007	HARRIS	2,369	32 km
2002	CEDAR CANYON	2,081	55 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	20°F (-7°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	22°F (-6°C)	0.4 in
March	31°F (-1°C)	1.0 in
April	44°F (7°C)	2.1 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.8 in
June	65°F (19°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.5 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	31°F (-1°C)	0.5 in
December	20°F (-7°C)	0.4 in

Bison has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 20°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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