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Weather & Climate in Columbia, SD

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

Columbia has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°F. 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 22.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.8 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 1,300 feet.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average42.8°F
21% below US avg
January Average11°F (-12°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,300 ft (396 m)
Area1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density112/sq mi
Coordinates45.6148°N, 98.3106°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBrown County County
Nearest AirportAberdeen Regional (ABR)
13 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.5"
41% below US avg
Snowfall 37.8"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.31"
Driest Month (Dec) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score73.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability24.1 / 100
Community Resilience85.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Very High
Lightning Very Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
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.

Oct 20, 1995 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota M3.7 114 km 5 km
Jul 26, 2002 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota M3.1 140 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

364 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 51 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 23, 2002 EF4 12 km 9.0 mi 0
Jun 23, 2002 EF3 27 km 10.0 mi 0
May 31, 1996 EF3 21 km 32.0 mi 0
May 12, 1984 EF3 94 km 27.0 mi 0
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 43 km 0.3 mi 1
Jul 1, 1973 EF3 62 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 25, 1969 EF3 26 km 1.5 mi 0
Jul 31, 1966 EF3 100 km 26.4 mi 2
May 20, 1965 EF3 36 km 3.8 mi 0
Jun 21, 1961 EF3 17 km 156.3 mi 1
Jun 9, 1957 EF3 91 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 4, 2020 EF2 38 km 2.7 mi 0
Jul 10, 2011 EF2 62 km 26.0 mi 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 55 km 18.6 mi 0
May 22, 2010 EF2 28 km 1.3 mi 0
Jun 29, 2005 EF2 65 km 8.0 mi 0
Jul 27, 1999 EF2 44 km 2.0 mi 0
Jul 17, 1996 EF2 39 km 5.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF2 100 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1993 EF2 100 km 10.0 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).

Wildfire History

7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: ROHRBACH (2,887 acres, 2022).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2022 ROHRBACH 2,887 95 km
2003 DANIELSON 1,682 95 km
2003 JOEL BERTSCH 2 1,460 96 km
2004 TACOMA PARK PLACE 1,336 11 km
2016 SLR 2016 RX MICHELL 1,242 32 km
2000 PHEASANT OPENER 1,206 46 km
1992 SPRING LK 1,001 81 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 11°F (-12°C) 0.5 in Coldest
February 17°F (-8°C) 0.5 in
March 30°F (-1°C) 1.3 in
April 45°F (7°C) 2.0 in
May 58°F (14°C) 2.6 in
June 67°F (19°C) 3.3 in Wettest
July 72°F (22°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 70°F (21°C) 2.3 in
September 60°F (15°C) 1.9 in
October 47°F (8°C) 1.5 in
November 29°F (-2°C) 0.7 in
December 16°F (-9°C) 0.4 in Driest

Columbia has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 11°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and December the driest (0.4").

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