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Weather & Climate in Bullhead, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Bullhead has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°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 17.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.3 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 1,785 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-9°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 45.0°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,785 ft (544 m) |
| Area | 3.1 sq mi (8.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 95/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.7728°N, 101.0814°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Corson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 71 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 38.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 91.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 2.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 128 km | 15 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
202 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 7 fatalities, 69 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1953 | EF5 | 82 km | 14.8 mi | 2 |
| Jul 4, 1978 | EF4 | 93 km | 26.0 mi | 5 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 65 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 64 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 72 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1955 | EF3 | 91 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | EF2 | 66 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2011 | EF2 | 86 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 92 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 92 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1986 | EF2 | 94 km | 10.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1983 | EF2 | 63 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1970 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF2 | 82 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 12, 1969 | EF2 | 92 km | 6.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1969 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF2 | 7 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF2 | 85 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: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | TENBROOK | 30,588 | 40 km |
| 2021 | WINDY | 16,866 | 90 km |
| 2002 | LAPLANTE | 14,777 | 68 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,487 | 40 km |
| 2006 | STONE MAN CHURCH | 10,389 | 16 km |
| 2000 | TRIBLE | 9,718 | 43 km |
| 2006 | LUND | 9,425 | 43 km |
| 2006 | BLACK HORSE CREEK | 8,000 | 77 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 7,593 | 54 km |
| 1999 | BULLHEAD | 5,606 | 5 km |
| 2022 | HWY31 AND 101ST WEST | 4,879 | 32 km |
| 2020 | BENT RIM | 3,665 | 98 km |
| 2006 | B WARD 1 | 3,325 | 20 km |
| 2015 | CANNON BALL | 3,068 | 73 km |
| 2006 | 1804 | 2,778 | 64 km |
| 2000 | PASTURE 9 BURN | 2,768 | 75 km |
| 2011 | MOUND CITY | 2,755 | 70 km |
| 2012 | MCINTOSH | 2,653 | 31 km |
| 2004 | FISCHER | 2,578 | 70 km |
| 2012 | CORNSTALK | 2,561 | 27 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in |
Bullhead has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.3").