Weather & Climate in Colonial Pine Hills, SD

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

Colonial Pine Hills experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°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 20.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 53.7 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 4,095 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-3°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	48.0°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-3°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	4,095 ft (1,248 m)
Area	15.3 sq mi (39.6 km²)
Population Density	154/sq mi
Coordinates	44.0137°N, 103.3149°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Lawrence County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.0"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 53.7"

Wettest Month (May) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	49.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	35.5 / 100
Community Resilience	54.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm	Very Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

24 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	133 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	102 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	123 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	33 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	38 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	22 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	85 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	103 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	59 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	122 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	54 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	64 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	52 km	8 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	143 km	5 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	70 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	102 km	9 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	79 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	72 km	5 km
Sep 5, 1993	4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota	M2.7	58 km	5 km
Feb 27, 2021	13 km WNW of Crawford, Nebraska	M2.6	147 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

172 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 41 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 29, 1993	EF3	71 km	3.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF3	22 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF3	86 km	11.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1965	EF3	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 12, 1965	EF3	79 km	20.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	67 km	5.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	70 km	2.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	18 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	51 km	19.7 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	70 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	47 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	20 km	1.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF2	87 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	93 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 19, 1983	EF2	94 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1972	EF2	68 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	88 km	1.5 mi	0
Jul 23, 1969	EF2	43 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	53 km	13.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JASPER (82,298 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	JASPER	82,298	50 km
2012	OIL CREEK	63,182	79 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	39 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	79 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	79 km
2003	RED POINT	18,057	73 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	83 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	27 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	11 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	39 km
2016	INDIAN CANYON	13,791	94 km
2001	ELK MOUNTAIN 2	13,758	69 km
2001	ROGERS SHACK	11,794	59 km
2002	GRIZZLY GULCH	11,487	48 km
2001	WEST HELL CANYON	11,097	77 km
2007	ALABAUGH	10,650	75 km
2012	WHITE DRAW	9,297	77 km
1985	SEVEN SISTERS	8,465	73 km
2000	FLAGPOLE MOUNTAIN	7,703	80 km
2002	WANNA	7,699	96 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
March	35°F (2°C)	0.9 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.1 in
May	55°F (13°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
June	65°F (18°C)	3.1 in
July	73°F (23°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.9 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.4 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in

Colonial Pine Hills has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").

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