Weather & Climate in Highmore, SD

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

Highmore experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°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 22.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 40.0 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 1,887 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	45.9°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-9°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,887 ft (575 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (4.9 km²)
Population Density	379/sq mi
Coordinates	44.5214°N, 99.4393°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Hyde County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 43 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.8"

40% below US avg

Snowfall 40.0"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.07"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	6.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	79.1 / 100
Community Resilience	79.1 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

10 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	89 km	15 km
Oct 25, 1990	8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota	M3.6	112 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	77 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	106 km	9 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	99 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	54 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	107 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	58 km	5 km
Apr 27, 2025	9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota	M2.5	143 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2022	9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota	M2.5	118 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

279 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 43 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 18, 2014	EF4	99 km	11.5 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	53 km	24.5 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	66 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	52 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	75 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 24, 1971	EF3	84 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	73 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1971	EF3	33 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 9, 1957	EF3	62 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 30, 2020	EF2	41 km	1.6 mi	1
Jun 18, 2014	EF2	70 km	1.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 2014	EF2	72 km	0.8 mi	0
Jun 18, 2014	EF2	85 km	2.2 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF2	29 km	5.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 2001	EF2	83 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1993	EF2	73 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF2	78 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF2	78 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF2	78 km	10.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: THOMPSON COMPLEX (3,230 acres, 2006).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	56 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	60 km
2022	HOLIDAY	2,936	44 km
2022	ROHRBACH	2,887	91 km
2000	GANN VALLEY	2,534	56 km
2006	FOUR BEAR	2,179	98 km
2006	FT PIERRE COMPLEX	1,812	67 km
2011	HIGHWAY 47	1,800	57 km
2005	CHAOS	1,539	46 km
2000	BAD HORSE	1,215	58 km
2005	N HYDE	1,204	22 km
2009	TAHOHPI WUI RX	1,166	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-9°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	20°F (-6°C)	0.5 in
March	31°F (-0°C)	1.3 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.4 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.0 in
June	67°F (19°C)	3.1 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.3 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.6 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.6 in
November	31°F (-1°C)	0.7 in
December	18°F (-8°C)	0.4 in

Highmore has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.4").

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