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Weather & Climate in Brandon, SD

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

Brandon experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 18°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 27.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.3 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 1,343 feet.

Temperature

18°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average18°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,343 ft (409 m)
Area6.1 sq mi (15.8 km²)
Population Density1,803/sq mi
Coordinates43.5929°N, 96.5838°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMinnehaha County County
Nearest AirportJoe Foss Field (FSD)
8 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.9"
27% below US avg
Snowfall 45.3"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.62"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Moderate
Risk Score89.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability14.1 / 100
Community Resilience86.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively High
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Moderate
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively High
Heat Wave Relatively Moderate
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very High
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively High
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

5 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 143 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 120 km 5 km
Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 147 km 10 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 147 km 5 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 134 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

633 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 21 fatalities, 432 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992 EF5 51 km 16.0 mi 1
Jun 13, 1968 EF5 93 km 9.1 mi 9
Jun 25, 2010 EF4 54 km 13.7 mi 0
May 30, 1998 EF4 90 km 14.0 mi 6
Mar 29, 1998 EF4 94 km 73.5 mi 1
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 64 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 31 km 54.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF4 68 km 7.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1965 EF4 70 km 7.8 mi 1
Aug 7, 1994 EF3 61 km 4.5 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 55 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 45 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 61 km 5.0 mi 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 58 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 96 km 4.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 83 km 12.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 93 km 3.0 mi 0
Apr 20, 1985 EF3 52 km 8.0 mi 0
Aug 3, 1981 EF3 58 km 12.8 mi 0
Jul 5, 1978 EF3 47 km 8.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 18°F (-8°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 21°F (-6°C) 0.6 in
March 33°F (0°C) 1.6 in
April 47°F (8°C) 2.5 in
May 59°F (15°C) 3.1 in
June 68°F (20°C) 3.6 in Wettest
July 74°F (24°C) 3.0 in Warmest
August 71°F (22°C) 3.0 in
September 61°F (16°C) 2.8 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.9 in
November 32°F (-0°C) 1.2 in
December 19°F (-7°C) 0.6 in

Brandon has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 18°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.5").

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