Weather & Climate in Fairburn, SD

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

Fairburn experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 71°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 21.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.9 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 3,297 feet.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	47.2°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	27°F (-3°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,297 ft (1,005 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²)
Population Density	173/sq mi
Coordinates	43.6869°N, 103.2087°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Custer County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 26 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.2"

44% below US avg

Snowfall 45.9"

Wettest Month (May) 3.07"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

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

28 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	132 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	70 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	100 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	53 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	7 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	17 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	58 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	72 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	97 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	63 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	120 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	56 km	10 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	142 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	28 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	16 km	8 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	116 km	5 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	40 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	64 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	42 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	84 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

174 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 96 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 11, 1991	EF3	57 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	88 km	28.3 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	98 km	2.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	95 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	20 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	83 km	19.7 mi	0
Jun 22, 2012	EF2	82 km	16.7 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	77 km	15.0 mi	1
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	67 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	78 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	84 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	55 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	55 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 19, 1983	EF2	58 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	85 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 28, 1976	EF2	100 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 23, 1969	EF2	78 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	38 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	80 km	13.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1967	EF2	43 km	1.0 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	56 km
2012	WELLNITZ	77,277	89 km
2012	OIL CREEK	63,182	94 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	15 km
2007	STAMPEDE	22,848	81 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	52 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	96 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	42 km
1985	4TH OFJULY	18,177	80 km
2003	RED POINT	18,057	68 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	46 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	19 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	28 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	24 km
2016	INDIAN CANYON	13,791	68 km
2001	ELK MOUNTAIN 2	13,758	70 km
2001	ROGERS SHACK	11,794	52 km
2022	CASINO	11,583	67 km
2002	GRIZZLY GULCH	11,487	83 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	68 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	27°F (-3°C)	0.3 in	Driest
February	29°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
March	36°F (2°C)	0.9 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	55°F (13°C)	3.1 in	Wettest
June	65°F (18°C)	3.0 in
July	71°F (22°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	71°F (21°C)	1.6 in
September	61°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Fairburn has a seasonal temperature swing of 44°F / from 27°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.3").

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