Weather & Climate in Bristol, SD

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

Bristol has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°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 24.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,788 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	44.2°F
	18% below US avg
January Average	13°F (-11°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,788 ft (545 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.4 km²)
Population Density	471/sq mi
Coordinates	45.3438°N, 97.7450°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Day County County
Nearest Airport	Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 34 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 24.0"

37% below US avg

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.46"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	27.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	74.7 / 100
Community Resilience	84.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

3 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.

Jun 5, 1993	11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota	M4.1	119 km	10 km
Oct 20, 1995	8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota	M3.7	85 km	5 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	115 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

414 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 55 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 23, 2002	EF4	65 km	9.0 mi	0
May 30, 2022	EF3	95 km	13.3 mi	0
Jun 23, 2002	EF3	81 km	10.0 mi	0
May 31, 1996	EF3	59 km	32.0 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF3	93 km	18.0 mi	0
May 12, 1984	EF3	52 km	27.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1983	EF3	67 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	60 km	0.3 mi	1
Jun 25, 1969	EF3	29 km	1.5 mi	0
May 20, 1965	EF3	86 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 21, 1961	EF3	40 km	156.3 mi	1
May 12, 2022	EF2	90 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 4, 2020	EF2	90 km	2.7 mi	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	87 km	26.0 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	73 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 29, 2005	EF2	68 km	8.0 mi	0
Sep 23, 2004	EF2	88 km	2.2 mi	0
Jul 27, 1999	EF2	93 km	2.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DANIELSON (1,682 acres, 2003).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2003	DANIELSON	1,682	76 km
2004	TACOMA PARK PLACE	1,336	45 km
2016	SLR 2016 RX MICHELL	1,242	71 km
2000	PHEASANT OPENER	1,206	11 km
1992	SPRING LK	1,001	35 km
2006	MOSQUITO RANCH	656	85 km
1997	ROBIN HOOD	542	87 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	13°F (-11°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	17°F (-8°C)	0.6 in
March	29°F (-1°C)	1.0 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	58°F (14°C)	2.7 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.5 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	2.6 in
September	60°F (15°C)	1.9 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.4 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.7 in
December	15°F (-9°C)	0.5 in	Driest

Bristol has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and December the driest (0.5").

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