All Countries
Weather & Climate in Howard, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Howard experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°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 26.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.8 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 1,561 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.6°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,561 ft (476 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,021/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0117°N, 97.5246°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Miner County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 30 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 3.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively 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 Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively 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.
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 80 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 149 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
526 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 7 fatalities, 248 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 70 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 36 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 32 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 58 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 24 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 97 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 81 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 64 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 57 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 47 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 31 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 44 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 49 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 8 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 47 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 98 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 87 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 52 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1965 | EF3 | 57 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TAHOHPI WUI RX (1,166 acres, 2009).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 2.7 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
Howard has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and December the driest (0.5").