Weather & Climate in Cottonwood, SD

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

Cottonwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 302 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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.2 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 2,485 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.1°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,485 ft (757 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.4 km²)
Population Density	114/sq mi
Coordinates	43.9704°N, 101.9041°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Jackson County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 58 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.4"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 38.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.99"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	10.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	99.7 / 100
Community Resilience	0.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
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

21 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	99 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	88 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	146 km	5 km
May 30, 2024	38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota	M3.7	134 km	15 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	117 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	115 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	128 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	89 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	113 km	9 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	55 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	132 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	79 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	103 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	118 km	8 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	125 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	45 km	9 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	143 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	61 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	23 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	106 km	11 km

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

Tornado History

165 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 5 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 6, 1963	EF3	94 km	24.4 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	65 km	28.3 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	78 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	86 km	3.9 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	65 km	22.3 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	87 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	47 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	20 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 29, 1982	EF2	89 km	0.2 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	82 km	5.6 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	57 km	2.7 mi	0
Jul 26, 1964	EF2	26 km	0.1 mi	0
May 2, 1964	EF2	23 km	14.8 mi	0
Aug 24, 1960	EF2	83 km	13.6 mi	0
Aug 31, 1959	EF2	50 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1953	EF2	64 km	27.7 mi	0
Jun 29, 2019	EF1	81 km	5.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2016	EF1	71 km	1.1 mi	0
May 28, 2013	EF1	78 km	0.1 mi	0
May 9, 2011	EF1	25 km	2.6 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COTTONWOOD CA (41,775 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	8 km
2006	WHITE OWL	20,022	77 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	73 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	93 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	96 km
2000	DECKER	10,883	78 km
2000	GENO H.	10,423	83 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	82 km
2002	COTTONWOOD	6,696	77 km
2022	TURKEY DAY	5,998	86 km
1985	WHITEBUTTE	5,685	91 km
2006	RED WATER	5,407	55 km
1992	WHITERIVER	5,150	99 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	49 km
2003	PAPA	4,746	66 km
2000	HAYES	4,627	86 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	95 km
1985	GAME RANGE	4,059	66 km
1999	BIG BUFFALO CREEK	3,981	22 km
2000	NO FLESH	3,828	57 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.1 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	58°F (14°C)	2.9 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.6 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.2 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.3 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in

Cottonwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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