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Weather & Climate in Carthage, SD

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

Carthage experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°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 26.4 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 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,424 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.6°F
14% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,424 ft (434 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density71/sq mi
Coordinates44.1648°N, 97.7203°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyMiner County County
Nearest AirportHuron Regional (HON)
29 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 26.4"
31% below US avg
Snowfall 35.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.58"
Driest Month (Dec) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score3.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience97.9 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Low
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Very Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Low
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

6 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 73 km 5 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 45 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 125 km 5 km
Feb 7, 2014 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota M3.0 125 km 5 km
Jul 3, 1995 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota M2.8 143 km 5 km
Jan 16, 2022 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota M2.5 70 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

497 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 233 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014 EF4 56 km 11.5 mi 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF4 13 km 10.0 mi 0
May 30, 1998 EF4 46 km 14.0 mi 6
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 47 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF4 81 km 54.0 mi 0
May 30, 2022 EF3 100 km 13.3 mi 0
May 5, 2007 EF3 78 km 4.0 mi 0
Aug 24, 2006 EF3 89 km 24.5 mi 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 34 km 3.5 mi 0
Jun 24, 2003 EF3 52 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 63 km 6.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 54 km 5.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 90 km 5.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF3 68 km 6.0 mi 0
May 7, 1993 EF3 71 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 48 km 4.0 mi 0
Jun 16, 1992 EF3 18 km 3.0 mi 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 80 km 27.0 mi 0
Jul 18, 1983 EF3 93 km 0.5 mi 0
Jun 15, 1970 EF3 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

2 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GANN VALLEY (2,534 acres, 2000).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2000 GANN VALLEY 2,534 95 km
2009 TAHOHPI WUI RX 1,166 59 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 17°F (-8°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February 21°F (-6°C) 0.6 in
March 33°F (0°C) 1.5 in
April 47°F (8°C) 2.5 in
May 59°F (15°C) 3.2 in
June 68°F (20°C) 3.6 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 3.0 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 2.5 in
September 62°F (17°C) 2.1 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.8 in
November 32°F (-0°C) 1.1 in
December 18°F (-8°C) 0.5 in Driest

Carthage has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and December the driest (0.5").

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