Weather & Climate in Ideal, SD

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

Ideal experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. The area gets 291 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 20.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.6 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 1,885 feet.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-6°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	48.1°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	20°F (-6°C)
July Average	76°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,885 ft (575 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	76/sq mi
Coordinates	43.5400°N, 99.9218°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Tripp County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.8"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 39.6"

Wettest Month (May) 3.19"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	36.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	82.1 / 100
Community Resilience	50.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 3, 2002	16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska	M4.3	120 km	5 km
May 30, 2024	38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota	M3.7	137 km	15 km
Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	113 km	5 km
Oct 25, 1990	8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota	M3.6	120 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	99 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	95 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	103 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	145 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	63 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	96 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	114 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	148 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	69 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	145 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	109 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	61 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	72 km	5 km
Apr 27, 2025	9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota	M2.5	65 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2022	9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota	M2.5	125 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

270 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 47 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	62 km	30.1 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	69 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	96 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 24, 1971	EF3	55 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	65 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1971	EF3	98 km	0.1 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	63 km	1.5 mi	0
May 16, 1962	EF3	94 km	0.1 mi	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	57 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	73 km	53.8 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	85 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	91 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	70 km	4.6 mi	0
Jun 18, 2014	EF2	99 km	1.1 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	66 km	9.0 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	19 km	2.9 mi	0
Aug 9, 2002	EF2	75 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	19 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 1993	EF2	40 km	3.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	83 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	97 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	73 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	96 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	29 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	78 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	88 km
2012	UNNAMED	6,910	91 km
1998	TNC	4,683	81 km
1991	YELLOWROBE	4,679	72 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	74 km
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	80 km
2022	WEST SF	3,126	91 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	64 km
2002	LOOKING	2,981	92 km
2023	NENFR-HFR-FY23-RX-UNITS 35-36-39	2,936	86 km
2022	HOLIDAY	2,936	83 km
2012	UNNAMED	2,875	90 km
1988	CROOKSTON	2,688	97 km
2021	WHIPPLE CAMP	2,643	98 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	20°F (-6°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.4 in
April	47°F (9°C)	2.2 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
June	69°F (21°C)	3.1 in
July	76°F (24°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	1.9 in
September	64°F (18°C)	1.7 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.4 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in

Ideal has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 20°F in January to 76°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").

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