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Weather & Climate in Buffalo, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Buffalo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 311 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 13.5 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 2,896 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.5°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,896 ft (883 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 513/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.5864°N, 103.5435°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Harding County County |
| Nearest Airport | Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 91 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Sep 25, 2009 | 15 km E of Alzada, Montana | M4.2 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Nov 3, 1999 | 8 km NNW of Broadus, Montana | M3.5 | 150 km | 10 km |
| Sep 5, 1993 | 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota | M2.7 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2013 | 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana | M2.6 | 68 km | 8 km |
| Nov 5, 1991 | 1 km ESE of Lead, South Dakota | M2.5 | 138 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
89 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF4 | 38 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF3 | 44 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2016 | EF3 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 51 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1963 | EF3 | 68 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 17 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 48 km | 6.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 33 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1977 | EF2 | 78 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| May 25, 1972 | EF2 | 75 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 1, 1964 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Sep 20, 1955 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 2019 | EF1 | 71 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 2015 | EF1 | 45 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2011 | EF1 | 25 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2011 | EF1 | 78 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF1 | 83 km | 0.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 1999 | EF1 | 80 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1999 | EF1 | 30 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1992 | EF1 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KRAFT SPRINGS (66,292 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | KRAFT SPRINGS | 66,292 | 48 km |
| 1988 | BREWER | 48,282 | 49 km |
| 2015 | SHEEP DRAW | 13,837 | 36 km |
| 2013 | PAUTRE | 11,733 | 87 km |
| 2021 | DIVIDE CA | 10,635 | 72 km |
| 2000 | CEDAR BUTTE | 9,154 | 67 km |
| 1999 | JOHNSTONE | 8,817 | 94 km |
| 1991 | MEDICINE ROCK | 8,565 | 94 km |
| 2024 | TRAVIN | 7,917 | 11 km |
| 2000 | CAMP CROOK COMPLEX | 6,927 | 27 km |
| 2012 | DUGAN | 6,688 | 82 km |
| 1999 | MILL IRON | 6,494 | 45 km |
| 1988 | SHORT PINES | 5,516 | 37 km |
| 1988 | MCDOWELLE | 4,096 | 92 km |
| 2000 | LICKINY | 3,802 | 74 km |
| 2012 | DEEP CREEK 2 | 3,500 | 96 km |
| 2020 | BOXELDER | 3,446 | 68 km |
| 2015 | MOONSHINE | 2,768 | 28 km |
| 2007 | HAY CREEK | 2,655 | 75 km |
| 2003 | MEAT HOOK | 2,522 | 29 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 33°F (0°C) | 0.7 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.6 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (21°C) | 1.4 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.0 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Buffalo has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 21°F in December to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.3").