Weather & Climate in Clear Lake, SD

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

Clear Lake has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 70°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 27.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 60.7 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 1,837 feet.

Temperature

12°F Jan (-11°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	42.4°F
	21% below US avg
January Average	12°F (-11°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,837 ft (560 m)
Area	3.3 sq mi (8.5 km²)
Population Density	9/sq mi
Coordinates	44.7563°N, 96.6902°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Deuel County County
Nearest Airport	Watertown Regional (ATY) 25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 27.5"

28% below US avg

Snowfall 60.7"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.78"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.51"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	6.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	70.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively 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: M4.1.

Jun 5, 1993	11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota	M4.1	107 km	10 km
Oct 20, 1995	8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota	M3.7	116 km	5 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	129 km	5 km
Feb 9, 1994	6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota	M3.1	136 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

429 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 12 fatalities, 218 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 13, 1968	EF5	99 km	9.1 mi	9
Jul 25, 2000	EF4	82 km	9.0 mi	1
Jul 7, 1955	EF4	50 km	30.0 mi	1
May 30, 2022	EF3	12 km	13.3 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF3	48 km	18.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	100 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	87 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	70 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	66 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	59 km	4.0 mi	0
May 12, 1984	EF3	83 km	27.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1983	EF3	41 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1970	EF3	71 km	0.1 mi	0
May 30, 2022	EF2	13 km	12.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	18 km	0.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	27 km	2.0 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	24 km	0.4 mi	0
Jul 1, 2011	EF2	69 km	1.3 mi	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF2	85 km	2.2 mi	0
Jul 11, 2000	EF2	95 km	2.0 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2004	LOUISBURGRADE	6,487	63 km
2003	CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE	2,067	69 km
2004	FISH FIRE	1,799	60 km
2005	GRAND MEWS	1,245	60 km
1998	LEE	1,137	59 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,115	59 km
2003	ANDERSON	1,082	59 km
1998	ANDREASEN	1,001	61 km
1992	SPRING LK	1,001	88 km
1990	ANDERSON	988	60 km
2007	ANDERSON	797	59 km
2006	ANDERSON	764	60 km
1986	ANDERSON	746	59 km
2000	FISH	720	60 km
2007	LEE	689	58 km
2006	MOSQUITO RANCH	656	96 km
2003	LEE	560	58 km
1994	ARTICHOKE	556	79 km
2002	ARTICHOKE	548	79 km
1997	ROBIN HOOD	542	96 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	12°F (-11°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	17°F (-8°C)	0.6 in
March	29°F (-2°C)	1.5 in
April	44°F (6°C)	2.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.0 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.8 in	Wettest
July	70°F (21°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	3.0 in
September	59°F (15°C)	2.2 in
October	46°F (8°C)	2.0 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	1.0 in
December	16°F (-9°C)	0.5 in	Driest

Clear Lake has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and December the driest (0.5").

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