Weather & Climate in Brookings, SD

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

Brookings has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 71°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 25.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 36. 80% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 1,655 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.3°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	13°F (-11°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,655 ft (504 m)
Area	14.0 sq mi (36.2 km²)
Population Density	1,698/sq mi
Coordinates	44.3034°N, 96.7873°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Brookings County County
Nearest Airport	Brookings Regional (BKX) 2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.2"

34% below US avg

Snowfall 35.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 4.06"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	36.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	79.8%
Unhealthy Days	2

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	50.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	65.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively 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: M3.6.

Oct 25, 1990	8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota	M3.6	146 km	5 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	114 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2022	9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota	M2.5	142 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

502 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 17 fatalities, 435 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992	EF5	83 km	16.0 mi	1
Jun 13, 1968	EF5	84 km	9.1 mi	9
Jun 24, 2003	EF4	78 km	10.0 mi	0
May 30, 1998	EF4	94 km	14.0 mi	6
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	66 km	54.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	61 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF4	81 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 1955	EF4	51 km	30.0 mi	1
May 30, 2022	EF3	55 km	13.3 mi	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	99 km	3.5 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF3	99 km	18.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	68 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	37 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	49 km	6.0 mi	0
May 7, 1993	EF3	88 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	95 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	91 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	80 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	97 km	16.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	31 km	4.0 mi	0

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	13°F (-11°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	18°F (-8°C)	0.5 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.3 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in
June	67°F (19°C)	4.1 in	Wettest
July	71°F (22°C)	3.2 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	2.9 in
September	60°F (15°C)	2.6 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.9 in
December	17°F (-9°C)	0.4 in

Brookings has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.1") and January the driest (0.4").

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