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Weather & Climate in Gary, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Gary has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°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 28.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.8 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 1,436 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.7°F |
| 17% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,436 ft (438 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 339/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.7942°N, 96.4571°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Deuel County County |
| Nearest Airport | Watertown Regional (ATY) 35 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively 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 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: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 99 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 115 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Feb 9, 1994 | 6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota | M3.1 | 117 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
423 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 13 fatalities, 231 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 13, 1968 | EF5 | 89 km | 9.1 mi | 9 |
| Jul 25, 2000 | EF4 | 63 km | 9.0 mi | 1 |
| Jul 7, 1955 | EF4 | 40 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF3 | 29 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF3 | 44 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 97 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 94 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 92 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 75 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 52 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 48 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 99 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1983 | EF3 | 57 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 32 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 39 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 46 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 2 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 2011 | EF2 | 63 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 11, 2001 | EF2 | 88 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2004 | LOUISBURGRADE | 6,487 | 50 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 53 km |
| 2004 | FISH FIRE | 1,799 | 49 km |
| 2005 | GRAND MEWS | 1,245 | 50 km |
| 1998 | LEE | 1,137 | 49 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,115 | 50 km |
| 2003 | ANDERSON | 1,082 | 49 km |
| 1998 | ANDREASEN | 1,001 | 50 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 97 km |
| 1990 | ANDERSON | 988 | 51 km |
| 2007 | ANDERSON | 797 | 48 km |
| 2006 | ANDERSON | 764 | 51 km |
| 1986 | ANDERSON | 746 | 48 km |
| 2000 | FISH | 720 | 50 km |
| 2007 | LEE | 689 | 49 km |
| 2000 | SVOR | 661 | 100 km |
| 2006 | MOSQUITO RANCH | 656 | 94 km |
| 2003 | LEE | 560 | 49 km |
| 1994 | ARTICHOKE | 556 | 66 km |
| 2002 | ARTICHOKE | 548 | 66 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 | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 3.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 2.4 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.0 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.7 in |
Gary has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.6").