Weather & Climate in Blackhawk, SD

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

Blackhawk experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 71°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 18.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.1 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 3,747 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.3°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	25°F (-4°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,747 ft (1,142 m)
Area	4.9 sq mi (12.6 km²)
Population Density	592/sq mi
Coordinates	44.1514°N, 103.3340°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lawrence County County
Nearest Airport	Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.8"

51% below US avg

Snowfall 36.1"

Wettest Month (May) 3.66"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.51"

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	119 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	115 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	135 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	37 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	37 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	99 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	116 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	62 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	135 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	62 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	79 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	67 km	8 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	85 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	81 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	95 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	111 km	9 km
Sep 5, 1993	4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota	M2.7	46 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	99 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	59 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

171 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 43 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 29, 1993	EF3	62 km	3.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF3	11 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF3	82 km	11.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1965	EF3	53 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 12, 1965	EF3	74 km	20.8 mi	0
Jul 18, 1963	EF3	93 km	2.3 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	63 km	2.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	60 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	33 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	39 km	19.7 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	100 km	9.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	71 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	33 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	10 km	1.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF2	84 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1972	EF2	54 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	74 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1972	EF2	90 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 23, 1969	EF2	32 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	87 km	0.1 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	57 km
2012	OIL CREEK	63,182	79 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	54 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	93 km
2006	WHITE OWL	20,022	95 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	94 km
2003	RED POINT	18,057	81 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	98 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	42 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	26 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	53 km
2001	ELK MOUNTAIN 2	13,758	75 km
2001	ROGERS SHACK	11,794	69 km
2002	GRIZZLY GULCH	11,487	36 km
2001	WEST HELL CANYON	11,097	91 km
2007	ALABAUGH	10,650	90 km
2012	WHITE DRAW	9,297	90 km
1985	SEVEN SISTERS	8,465	87 km
2000	FLAGPOLE MOUNTAIN	7,703	94 km
2012	MYRTLE	7,645	67 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	25°F (-4°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.6 in
March	33°F (0°C)	1.1 in
April	41°F (5°C)	2.4 in
May	52°F (11°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
June	61°F (16°C)	3.5 in
July	71°F (22°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	67°F (19°C)	2.0 in
September	57°F (14°C)	1.5 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.3 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.7 in
December	26°F (-3°C)	0.6 in

Blackhawk has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 25°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.5").

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