Weather & Climate in Gettysburg, SD

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

Gettysburg has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 15°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 20.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.7 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 2,068 feet.

Temperature

15°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	44.3°F
	18% below US avg
January Average	15°F (-9°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,068 ft (630 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density	700/sq mi
Coordinates	45.0060°N, 99.9539°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Potter County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 46 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.2"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 38.7"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	10.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.7 / 100
Community Resilience	59.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
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	59 km	15 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	82 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	126 km	9 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	19 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	118 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 30 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 2010	EF4	52 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	77 km	14.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	79 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 3, 1971	EF3	100 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	62 km	8.8 mi	0
Jun 9, 1957	EF3	65 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF2	79 km	5.4 mi	0
Aug 30, 2020	EF2	83 km	1.6 mi	1
May 22, 2010	EF2	95 km	18.6 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF2	88 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 2001	EF2	35 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1993	EF2	77 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 30, 1992	EF2	71 km	0.3 mi	0
Sep 2, 1983	EF2	57 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 2, 1983	EF2	67 km	0.2 mi	0
Apr 19, 1973	EF2	84 km	4.9 mi	0
Oct 1, 1971	EF2	36 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1970	EF2	29 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1970	EF2	74 km	2.5 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

16 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAPLANTE (14,777 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	61 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,487	82 km
2000	HOUCK RANCH	8,746	91 km
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	84 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	99 km
2022	ROHRBACH	2,887	53 km
2005	LITTLE BEND	2,789	62 km
2006	1804	2,778	67 km
2011	MOUND CITY	2,755	86 km
2023	LITTLE BEND RX	2,574	62 km
2006	FOUR BEAR	2,179	35 km
2006	FT PIERRE COMPLEX	1,812	85 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,438	81 km
2004	ALLEN STUECKLE	1,330	98 km
2005	N HYDE	1,204	52 km
2021	FUZZY	1,075	39 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	15°F (-9°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	19°F (-7°C)	0.5 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.2 in
April	44°F (7°C)	2.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.7 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	2.2 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.2 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.6 in
December	17°F (-8°C)	0.5 in

Gettysburg has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 15°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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