Weather & Climate in Cow Creek, SD

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

Cow Creek experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°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 21.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.8 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 1,662 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	46.0°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-8°C)
July Average	74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,662 ft (507 m)
Area	1.8 sq mi (4.7 km²)
Population Density	35/sq mi
Coordinates	44.5493°N, 100.4680°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Stanley County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 15 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.1"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 48.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.87"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	45.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.

May 30, 2024	38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota	M3.7	16 km	15 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	25 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	68 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	122 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	51 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	98 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	138 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

188 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 28 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	100 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	24 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	74 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	82 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	89 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 12, 1993	EF2	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 30, 1992	EF2	48 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 5, 1987	EF2	76 km	1.2 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	75 km	2.7 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	49 km	5.6 mi	0
Oct 1, 1971	EF2	30 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	72 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	71 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 18, 1970	EF2	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	21 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1964	EF2	89 km	24.6 mi	0
Jun 8, 1964	EF2	62 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 28, 1961	EF2	95 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 24, 1960	EF2	48 km	13.6 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAPLANTE (14,777 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	78 km
2000	GENO H.	10,423	82 km
2000	HOUCK RANCH	8,746	40 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	76 km
2000	JENSEN	4,739	80 km
2000	HAYES	4,627	48 km
2020	BENT RIM	3,665	73 km
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	48 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	64 km
2005	LITTLE BEND	2,789	32 km
2021	WHIPPLE CAMP	2,643	99 km
2006	RATTLE SNAKE BUTTE	2,590	98 km
2023	LITTLE BEND RX	2,574	32 km
2006	FOUR BEAR	2,179	62 km
2006	FT PIERRE COMPLEX	1,812	38 km
2011	HIGHWAY 47	1,800	98 km
2005	CHAOS	1,539	97 km
2001	VAN METRE	1,336	47 km
2000	BAD HORSE	1,215	76 km
2005	N HYDE	1,204	83 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-8°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in
March	33°F (1°C)	0.9 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.7 in
May	58°F (15°C)	2.6 in
June	68°F (20°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
July	74°F (24°C)	2.3 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.7 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.3 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.1 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.5 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in

Cow Creek has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.3").

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