Weather & Climate in Humboldt, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Humboldt experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 18°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 31.0 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,703 feet.
Temperature
18°F Jan (-8°C)
74°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.4°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 18°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,703 ft (519 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,087/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.6449°N, 97.0745°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | McCook County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joe Foss Field (FSD) 17 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 43.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 83.6 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 112 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
613 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 11 fatalities, 291 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF5 | 87 km | 16.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 25, 2010 | EF4 | 93 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 90 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 50 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 15 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 31 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 54 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 40 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 28 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 24 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 19 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 79 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 61 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Apr 20, 1985 | EF3 | 83 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 41 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1978 | EF3 | 71 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 57 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 73 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 96 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1965 | EF3 | 96 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.9 in | Coldest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.7 in | Driest |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 3.0 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 4.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (24°C) | 3.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 3.0 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in |
Humboldt has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 18°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.4") and February the driest (0.7").