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Weather & Climate in Fort Pierre, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Fort Pierre experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 75°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 20.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,439 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.0°F |
| 13% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,439 ft (439 m) |
| Area | 3.2 sq mi (8.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 812/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.3666°N, 100.3823°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Stanley County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 5 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 5.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 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 | 38 km | 15 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 4 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 49 km | 9 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 81 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 139 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
197 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 28 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 84 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1973 | EF3 | 3 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 60 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1993 | EF2 | 4 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1992 | EF2 | 37 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1987 | EF2 | 56 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 75 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 51 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1971 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 50 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 53 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1970 | EF2 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF2 | 2 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1964 | EF2 | 83 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1960 | EF2 | 51 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: POWER DAM ROAD (15,047 acres, 2024).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2024 | POWER DAM ROAD | 15,047 | 84 km |
| 2002 | LAPLANTE | 14,777 | 99 km |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 90 km |
| 2000 | GENO H. | 10,423 | 94 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 54 km |
| 2021 | DRY CREEK CA | 8,123 | 63 km |
| 2000 | JENSEN | 4,739 | 96 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 55 km |
| 2012 | TOWER | 4,599 | 92 km |
| 2020 | BENT RIM | 3,665 | 91 km |
| 2006 | THOMPSON COMPLEX | 3,230 | 31 km |
| 2000 | CLOVER | 3,062 | 45 km |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 89 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE BEND | 2,789 | 53 km |
| 2021 | WHIPPLE CAMP | 2,643 | 87 km |
| 2006 | RATTLE SNAKE BUTTE | 2,590 | 86 km |
| 2023 | LITTLE BEND RX | 2,574 | 53 km |
| 2006 | FOUR BEAR | 2,179 | 81 km |
| 2003 | HOG | 1,935 | 88 km |
| 2006 | FT PIERRE COMPLEX | 1,812 | 19 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 2.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in |
Fort Pierre has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 19°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 15.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.3").