Weather & Climate in Custer, SD

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

Custer has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 68°F in July. The area gets 291 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 20.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 57.9 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 44. 75% of days have good air quality. The city sits at an elevation of 5,316 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 68°F Jul (20°C)

Annual Average	45.0°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	68°F (20°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	5,316 ft (1,620 m)
Area	2.5 sq mi (6.6 km²)
Population Density	839/sq mi
Coordinates	43.7667°N, 103.5996°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Custer County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 33 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.7"

46% below US avg

Snowfall 57.9"

Wettest Month (May) 3.39"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	44.0
Rating	Good
Good Days %	75.4%
Unhealthy Days	9

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	16.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	47.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

27 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	148 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	88 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	26 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	26 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	23 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	52 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	87 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	87 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	136 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	24 km	10 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	131 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	58 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	36 km	8 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	108 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	116 km	9 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	42 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	37 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	62 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

179 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 43 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 29, 1993	EF3	76 km	3.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF3	57 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF3	79 km	11.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1965	EF3	93 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 12, 1965	EF3	75 km	20.8 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	71 km	2.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	69 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	30 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	86 km	19.7 mi	0
Jun 22, 2012	EF2	76 km	16.7 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	94 km	4.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	71 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	55 km	1.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF2	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	76 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 19, 1983	EF2	73 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	74 km	7.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1972	EF2	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 23, 1969	EF2	60 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	48 km	0.1 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	23 km
2012	OIL CREEK	63,182	62 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	20 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	47 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	69 km
2003	RED POINT	18,057	39 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	71 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	16 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	26 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	11 km
2016	INDIAN CANYON	13,791	60 km
2001	ELK MOUNTAIN 2	13,758	39 km
2001	ROGERS SHACK	11,794	24 km
2022	CASINO	11,583	90 km
2000	WARBONNET	11,504	98 km
2002	GRIZZLY GULCH	11,487	65 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	98 km
2001	WEST HELL CANYON	11,097	45 km
2007	ALABAUGH	10,650	45 km
2012	WHITE DRAW	9,297	43 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.6 in
March	32°F (-0°C)	1.0 in
April	39°F (4°C)	2.1 in
May	50°F (10°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
June	59°F (15°C)	3.4 in
July	68°F (20°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	65°F (18°C)	2.0 in
September	55°F (13°C)	1.5 in
October	44°F (7°C)	1.1 in
November	32°F (-0°C)	0.6 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in	Coldest

Custer has a seasonal temperature swing of 43°F / from 25°F in December to 68°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.6 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").

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