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Weather & Climate in Groton, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Groton has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°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 21.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.7 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 1,303 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.1°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,303 ft (397 m) |
| Area | 1.8 sq mi (4.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,025/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.4517°N, 98.1001°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Brown County County |
| Nearest Airport | Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 16 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 73.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 24.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 85.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Very High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
3 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 | 143 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 122 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
378 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 52 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF4 | 36 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF3 | 51 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1996 | EF3 | 30 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 98 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 70 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1983 | EF3 | 95 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 39 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 25, 1969 | EF3 | 2 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF3 | 60 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1961 | EF3 | 10 km | 156.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 9, 1957 | EF3 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2020 | EF2 | 60 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 74 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 72 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2005 | EF2 | 67 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1999 | EF2 | 67 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1996 | EF2 | 20 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF2 | 86 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
5 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: DANIELSON (1,682 acres, 2003).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 88 km |
| 2004 | TACOMA PARK PLACE | 1,336 | 15 km |
| 2016 | SLR 2016 RX MICHELL | 1,242 | 50 km |
| 2000 | PHEASANT OPENER | 1,206 | 22 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 62 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in |
Groton has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").