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Weather & Climate in Bonesteel, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bonesteel experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 291 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 25.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.2 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 1,966 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.6°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,966 ft (599 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 860/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.0775°N, 98.9468°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Charles Mix County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 63 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 48.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 61.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska | M4.3 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 19 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 20 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 88 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 98 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
368 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 1 fatality, 51 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 8, 1965 | EF5 | 63 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1962 | EF4 | 60 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 79 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2003 | EF3 | 62 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF3 | 83 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 92 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1965 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 33 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1962 | EF3 | 88 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 30 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1962 | EF3 | 1 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1962 | EF3 | 39 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 82 km | 53.8 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 58 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1954 | EF3 | 90 km | 10.6 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2015 | EF2 | 59 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 80 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2009 | EF2 | 58 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2009 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
8 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | REGION 24 COMPLEX | 66,349 | 98 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,910 | 62 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 3,145 | 100 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 2,875 | 51 km |
| 2000 | NOVOTNY AND WAGNER | 1,968 | 78 km |
| 2012 | KAYLKOWSKI | 1,966 | 47 km |
| 2012 | SIX PACK | 1,649 | 93 km |
| 2023 | SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I | 1,185 | 49 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 2.6 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.5 in |
Bonesteel has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and January the driest (0.4").