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Weather & Climate in Elk Point, SD

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

Elk Point experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°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 28.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,126 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average48.8°F
10% below US avg
January Average20°F (-6°C)
July Average74°F (24°C)
Sunny Days291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation1,126 ft (343 m)
Area1.6 sq mi (4.0 km²)
Population Density1,543/sq mi
Coordinates42.6812°N, 96.6805°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyUnion County County
Nearest AirportSioux Gateway/Brig General Bud Day Field (SUX)
25 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 28.0"
26% below US avg
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.82"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score37.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability10.6 / 100
Community Resilience48.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Relatively Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind Relatively Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively Moderate
Lightning Relatively Low
Ice Storm Relatively Moderate
Drought Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.

Feb 6, 1996 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska M3.6 73 km 5 km
Aug 9, 1997 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska M3.4 107 km 5 km
Jan 4, 2021 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota M3.1 105 km 5 km
Feb 5, 2025 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska M2.7 121 km 5 km
Jun 30, 2021 4 km E of Rembrandt, Iowa M2.7 130 km 10 km
Mar 6, 2024 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska M2.5 93 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

652 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 290 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 64 km 15.8 mi 0
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 84 km 11.5 mi 1
Jun 16, 2014 EF4 89 km 23.9 mi 1
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 61 km 24.7 mi 0
Oct 4, 2013 EF4 70 km 18.3 mi 0
Jun 23, 2003 EF4 56 km 13.0 mi 1
Jul 28, 1986 EF4 24 km 52.5 mi 0
Jul 7, 1977 EF4 59 km 22.6 mi 0
May 6, 1975 EF4 91 km 4.1 mi 0
Jun 7, 1965 EF4 70 km 7.8 mi 1
Jun 23, 1952 EF4 68 km 24.1 mi 0
Jul 15, 1950 EF4 98 km 10.0 mi 0
Jun 17, 2014 EF3 50 km 4.0 mi 0
Apr 9, 2011 EF3 91 km 3.4 mi 0
Jul 5, 1994 EF3 50 km 1.8 mi 0
May 27, 1991 EF3 91 km 6.0 mi 0
Aug 3, 1981 EF3 77 km 12.8 mi 0
May 8, 1979 EF3 49 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 5, 1978 EF3 58 km 8.0 mi 0
May 6, 1975 EF3 90 km 15.9 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SIX PACK (1,649 acres, 2012).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2012 SIX PACK 1,649 98 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-6°C) 0.5 in Coldest, Driest
February 24°F (-5°C) 0.6 in
March 36°F (2°C) 1.8 in
April 49°F (9°C) 2.6 in
May 61°F (16°C) 3.7 in
June 71°F (21°C) 3.8 in Wettest
July 74°F (24°C) 3.3 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 3.0 in
September 63°F (17°C) 2.6 in
October 51°F (10°C) 2.0 in
November 34°F (1°C) 1.3 in
December 22°F (-6°C) 0.6 in

Elk Point has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 25.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.5").

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