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Weather & Climate in Bridger, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bridger experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 276 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 20.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.8 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 1,871 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.5°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,871 ft (570 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 267/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.5421°N, 101.9136°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Haakon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 65 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 110 km | 15 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 132 km | 9 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 105 km | 9 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 49 km | 5 km |
| Nov 5, 1991 | 1 km ESE of Lead, South Dakota | M2.5 | 147 km | 0 km |
| Jan 24, 2004 | 8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota | M2.5 | 119 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
142 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 12 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 97 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2024 | EF2 | 67 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2015 | EF2 | 88 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 74 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 16 km | 22.3 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 72 km | 22.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 63 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF2 | 60 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 74 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 56 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1972 | EF2 | 83 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1972 | EF2 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1964 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1964 | EF2 | 82 km | 14.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1960 | EF2 | 74 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1959 | EF2 | 14 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1955 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 1953 | EF2 | 74 km | 5.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2016 | EF1 | 38 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COTTONWOOD CA (41,775 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | COTTONWOOD CA | 41,775 | 71 km |
| 2006 | WHITE OWL | 20,022 | 32 km |
| 1999 | FAITH | 12,629 | 54 km |
| 2000 | GENO H. | 10,423 | 36 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 76 km |
| 2006 | KELLY | 5,071 | 92 km |
| 2000 | JENSEN | 4,739 | 54 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 68 km |
| 1999 | BIG BUFFALO CREEK | 3,981 | 84 km |
| 2001 | W SAGE CK | 3,711 | 86 km |
| 2020 | BENT RIM | 3,665 | 66 km |
| 1985 | SAGE CREEK | 2,994 | 79 km |
| 2001 | LEMON BUTTE | 2,556 | 62 km |
| 2007 | CONATA II | 2,501 | 85 km |
| 2006 | RED OWL | 2,470 | 58 km |
| 2005 | PENNINGTON COUNTY COMPLEX | 2,446 | 100 km |
| 2002 | DILLON | 2,408 | 80 km |
| 2007 | NEW UNDERWOOD | 2,286 | 85 km |
| 2010 | INTERIOR | 2,227 | 88 km |
| 2002 | CEDAR CANYON | 2,081 | 86 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in |
Bridger has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.3").