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Weather & Climate in Burke, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Burke experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 291 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 26.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.0 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 2,192 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.3°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,192 ft (668 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,152/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1828°N, 99.2923°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Gregory County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 55 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 16.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 18.9 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 78.3 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska | M4.3 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 49 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 128 km | 9 km |
| Apr 11, 2016 | 11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.2 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2020 | 2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska | M2.8 | 118 km | 10 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 52 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 9 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 128 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
334 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 1 fatality, 58 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 8, 1965 | EF5 | 40 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| May 29, 1962 | EF4 | 89 km | 24.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 90 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 2003 | EF3 | 83 km | 23.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 97 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF3 | 65 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 3 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 58 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 16, 1962 | EF3 | 31 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1962 | EF3 | 9 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 78 km | 70.4 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 61 km | 53.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2016 | EF2 | 94 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 2015 | EF2 | 87 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 51 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 57 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2009 | EF2 | 60 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Mar 23, 2009 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
13 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | REGION 24 COMPLEX | 66,349 | 78 km |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 90 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,910 | 52 km |
| 1998 | TNC | 4,683 | 85 km |
| 2023 | NENFR-HFR-FY23-RX-UNITS 35-36-39 | 2,936 | 99 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 2,875 | 44 km |
| 2024 | UNIT 16 RX | 2,171 | 97 km |
| 2000 | NOVOTNY AND WAGNER | 1,968 | 49 km |
| 2012 | KAYLKOWSKI | 1,966 | 77 km |
| 2011 | HIGHWAY 47 | 1,800 | 94 km |
| 1988 | SIMMONS I | 1,764 | 91 km |
| 2014 | OKREEK | 1,273 | 89 km |
| 2023 | SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I | 1,185 | 58 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.8 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.6 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 2.5 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in |
Burke has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.5").