Weather & Climate in Faith, SD

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

Faith experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 311 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 19.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 55.5 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 2,580 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	46.4°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	20°F (-7°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,580 ft (786 m)
Area	1.3 sq mi (3.3 km²)
Population Density	255/sq mi
Coordinates	45.0258°N, 102.0363°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Perkins County County
Nearest Airport	Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 80 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.1"

50% below US avg

Snowfall 55.5"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	2.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	13.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively 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 Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

5 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	124 km	15 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	119 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	102 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	100 km	5 km
Jan 24, 2004	8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota	M2.5	147 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

119 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 10 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	48 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 2, 2024	EF2	29 km	4.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	56 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	33 km	1.4 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	47 km	8.2 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	18 km	22.9 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	56 km	22.3 mi	0
Jul 18, 1986	EF2	57 km	10.5 mi	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	76 km	1.5 mi	0
May 25, 1972	EF2	70 km	2.0 mi	0
May 21, 1972	EF2	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 12, 1969	EF2	54 km	6.1 mi	0
Jul 17, 1969	EF2	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 1964	EF2	65 km	0.8 mi	0
Aug 31, 1959	EF2	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Apr 19, 1955	EF2	68 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 2, 1953	EF2	64 km	5.9 mi	0
Jul 6, 2016	EF1	64 km	1.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF1	28 km	2.3 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITE OWL (20,022 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	WHITE OWL	20,022	53 km
2021	WINDY	16,866	97 km
1999	FAITH	12,629	12 km
2013	PAUTRE	11,733	96 km
2021	DIVIDE CA	10,635	72 km
2000	GENO H.	10,423	60 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	97 km
2000	HOUCK RANCH	8,746	96 km
2006	BLACK HORSE CREEK	8,000	64 km
2006	KELLY	5,071	39 km
2000	JENSEN	4,739	54 km
2000	HAYES	4,627	99 km
2000	LICKINY	3,802	85 km
2020	BENT RIM	3,665	63 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	92 km
2000	PASTURE 9 BURN	2,768	71 km
2007	HAY CREEK	2,655	82 km
2001	LEMON BUTTE	2,556	27 km
2006	RED OWL	2,470	62 km
2007	HARRIS	2,369	95 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	20°F (-7°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in
March	32°F (-0°C)	1.0 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.9 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	74°F (23°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.5 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.1 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	32°F (0°C)	0.4 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in

Faith has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 20°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").

View full profile of Faith, SD →