Weather & Climate in Irene, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Irene experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 28.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.1 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 1,395 feet.
Temperature
20°F Jan (-7°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 48.7°F |
| 10% below US avg | |
| January Average | 20°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,395 ft (425 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,004/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.0837°N, 97.1576°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Yankton County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joe Foss Field (FSD) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 63.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 84.6 / 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 | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively 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: M4.3.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska | M4.3 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 1997 | 9 km NW of Clarkson, Nebraska | M3.4 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Feb 5, 2025 | 8 km SSE of Tilden, Nebraska | M2.7 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 63 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
640 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 13 fatalities, 340 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 2003 | EF4 | 66 km | 13.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 85 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 73 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 89 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1986 | EF4 | 47 km | 52.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 11 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 61 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Oct 4, 2013 | EF3 | 93 km | 6.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 80 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 59 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 22 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1978 | EF3 | 57 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1971 | EF3 | 99 km | 46.5 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1968 | EF3 | 89 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 94 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1967 | EF3 | 57 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 55 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1965 | EF3 | 53 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF3 | 34 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SIX PACK (1,649 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | SIX PACK | 1,649 | 67 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.7 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 3.4 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | |
| June | 71°F (22°C) | 4.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 3.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 3.3 in | |
| September | 65°F (18°C) | 2.9 in | |
| October | 51°F (11°C) | 2.6 in | |
| November | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in |
Irene has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 20°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 28.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.7").