All Countries
Weather & Climate in De Smet, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
De Smet has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 71°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 25.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.4 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 1,719 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.0°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,719 ft (524 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 840/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.3861°N, 97.5497°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Kingsbury County County |
| Nearest Airport | Huron Regional (HON) 34 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 7.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 89.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| 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
4 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 53 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 150 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 97 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
475 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 230 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 78 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 21 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 72 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 60 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 90 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF3 | 73 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 98 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 38 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 76 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 73 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 90 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 63 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 69 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 90 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 34 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 30 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 57 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1983 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 55 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 86 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TAHOHPI WUI RX (1,166 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 67 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 47°F (9°C) | 1.8 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in |
De Smet has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 14°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.6").