Sign In Register

Weather & Climate in Box Elder, SD

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

Box Elder experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.5 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 3,042 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average46.7°F
14% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,042 ft (927 m)
Area13.9 sq mi (36.1 km²)
Population Density840/sq mi
Coordinates44.1109°N, 103.0811°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyLawrence County County
Nearest AirportEllsworth Afb (RCA)
3 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.4"
54% below US avg
Snowfall 48.5"
Wettest Month (May) 2.99"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score49.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability35.5 / 100
Community Resilience54.0 / 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 M4.2 135 km 5 km
Jan 28, 1990 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota M4.0 100 km 5 km
Apr 9, 1996 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota M3.7 142 km 5 km
Feb 6, 1996 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota M3.7 54 km 5 km
Mar 9, 2025 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota M3.6 51 km 5 km
Dec 12, 2013 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota M3.5 38 km 5 km
Mar 26, 2021 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota M3.4 103 km 5 km
Mar 2, 1990 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota M3.2 102 km 5 km
Feb 7, 2007 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota M3.1 41 km 5 km
May 3, 1996 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota M3.1 141 km 5 km
Jun 29, 2024 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming M3.0 76 km 10 km
Jan 16, 2012 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M3.0 70 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2024 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M2.9 64 km 8 km
Mar 18, 1994 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota M2.8 86 km 5 km
Jan 5, 2004 28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming M2.8 93 km 5 km
Jul 17, 2016 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota M2.8 89 km 5 km
Apr 4, 2024 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota M2.8 91 km 9 km
Sep 5, 1993 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota M2.7 66 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2021 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota M2.6 79 km 5 km
Jun 8, 2025 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota M2.6 40 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: 45 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 29, 1993 EF3 82 km 3.0 mi 0
May 11, 1991 EF3 15 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 18, 1965 EF3 66 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 12, 1965 EF3 95 km 20.8 mi 0
Jul 6, 2020 EF2 80 km 5.1 mi 0
Jul 6, 2020 EF2 83 km 2.1 mi 0
Jun 13, 2016 EF2 31 km 7.4 mi 0
Jun 19, 2015 EF2 35 km 19.7 mi 0
May 24, 2010 EF2 90 km 22.3 mi 0
Jun 7, 1994 EF2 50 km 10.0 mi 0
Jul 12, 1993 EF2 49 km 2.0 mi 0
May 11, 1991 EF2 14 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 28, 1972 EF2 71 km 0.1 mi 0
May 26, 1972 EF2 72 km 1.5 mi 0
May 21, 1972 EF2 84 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 23, 1969 EF2 52 km 0.2 mi 0
Jul 14, 1969 EF2 86 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 20, 1968 EF2 68 km 13.1 mi 0
Jun 18, 1967 EF2 11 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 23, 1966 EF2 35 km 3.8 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 72 km
2012 OIL CREEK 63,182 98 km
2017 LEGION LAKE 54,868 55 km
1985 FLINT HILLS 21,062 97 km
2006 WHITE OWL 20,022 82 km
2016 FREEMAN 19,121 85 km
2003 RED POINT 18,057 94 km
2012 HAY CANYON 17,815 90 km
1988 GALENA 16,936 45 km
2002 BATTLE CREEK 15,034 31 km
1990 SWEDLUND 14,673 58 km
2001 ELK MOUNTAIN 2 13,758 90 km
2001 ROGERS SHACK 11,794 80 km
2002 GRIZZLY GULCH 11,487 56 km
2001 WEST HELL CANYON 11,097 95 km
2007 ALABAUGH 10,650 92 km
2012 WHITE DRAW 9,297 97 km
1985 SEVEN SISTERS 8,465 88 km
2000 FLAGPOLE MOUNTAIN 7,703 95 km
2002 WANNA 7,699 99 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-4°C) 0.4 in Coldest, Driest
February 28°F (-2°C) 0.5 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.0 in
April 45°F (7°C) 2.0 in
May 56°F (13°C) 3.0 in Wettest
June 66°F (19°C) 2.9 in
July 72°F (22°C) 2.2 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 1.7 in
September 61°F (16°C) 1.2 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.4 in
November 34°F (1°C) 0.6 in
December 26°F (-4°C) 0.4 in

Box Elder has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 24°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

View full profile of Box Elder, SD →