Weather & Climate in Buffalo Gap, SD

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

Buffalo Gap experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 302 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 18.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 36.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 3,268 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.2°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	25°F (-4°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,268 ft (996 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density	452/sq mi
Coordinates	43.4922°N, 103.3153°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Custer County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 40 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.2"

52% below US avg

Snowfall 36.8"

Wettest Month (May) 2.87"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	16.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	47.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

28 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	131 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	69 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	79 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	64 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	21 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	36 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	38 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	69 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	76 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	84 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	100 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	56 km	10 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	121 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	26 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	8 km	8 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	94 km	5 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	18 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	56 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	24 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	94 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

176 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 97 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 11, 1991	EF3	79 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	92 km	28.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	42 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 22, 2012	EF2	60 km	16.7 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	56 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	62 km	15.0 mi	1
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	99 km	10.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	38 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 19, 1983	EF2	37 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	64 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 28, 1976	EF2	77 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 1969	EF2	95 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	15 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	91 km	13.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1967	EF2	65 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1966	EF2	55 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 22, 1966	EF2	22 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1965	EF2	40 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 22, 1961	EF2	25 km	0.1 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	58 km
2012	WELLNITZ	77,277	76 km
2012	OIL CREEK	63,182	97 km
2012	WEST ASH	55,228	90 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	21 km
1989	FT.ROBINSON	46,887	93 km
2006	SIOUX COUNTY COMPLEX	39,567	93 km
2012	DOUTHIT	29,036	82 km
2006	DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX	27,923	90 km
2007	STAMPEDE	22,848	70 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	32 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	98 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	32 km
1985	4TH OFJULY	18,177	70 km
2003	RED POINT	18,057	61 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	33 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	33 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	47 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	27 km
2016	INDIAN CANYON	13,791	47 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	25°F (-4°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
March	37°F (3°C)	0.9 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.9 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
June	67°F (20°C)	2.9 in
July	73°F (23°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.6 in
September	62°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	26°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Buffalo Gap has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 25°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.3").

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