Weather & Climate in Java, SD

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

Java has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (5°C). Winters average 11°F in January while summers reach 70°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 20.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.3 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,078 feet.

Temperature

11°F Jan (-12°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)

Annual Average	41.8°F
	23% below US avg
January Average	11°F (-12°C)
July Average	70°F (21°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,078 ft (633 m)
Area	0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²)
Population Density	202/sq mi
Coordinates	45.5038°N, 99.8839°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Potter County County
Nearest Airport	Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 71 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.3"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 44.3"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.23"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	10.0 / 100
Social Vulnerability	24.7 / 100
Community Resilience	59.2 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very 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 Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

3 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	105 km	15 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	136 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	74 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

261 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 19 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 22, 2010	EF4	12 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	24 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	56 km	6.0 mi	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF3	96 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	11 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	26 km	8.8 mi	0
Jul 31, 1966	EF3	64 km	26.4 mi	2
Jun 9, 1957	EF3	79 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF2	34 km	5.4 mi	0
Jul 4, 2020	EF2	87 km	2.7 mi	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	100 km	12.0 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	68 km	18.6 mi	0
Jul 18, 2001	EF2	33 km	1.0 mi	0
Sep 2, 1983	EF2	84 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 2, 1983	EF2	97 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF2	56 km	0.2 mi	0
Oct 1, 1971	EF2	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1970	EF2	56 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1970	EF2	22 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 1969	EF2	93 km	0.1 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

19 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAPLANTE (14,777 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	68 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,487	63 km
2000	TRIBLE	9,718	66 km
2006	LUND	9,425	99 km
1999	BULLHEAD	5,606	97 km
2022	ROHRBACH	2,887	38 km
2006	1804	2,778	35 km
2011	MOUND CITY	2,755	37 km
2012	CORNSTALK	2,561	90 km
2006	FOUR BEAR	2,179	59 km
2000	FTMANUEL	2,124	63 km
2024	STATELINE	2,123	88 km
2003	24	2,119	87 km
2003	JOEL BERTSCH 2	1,460	56 km
1991	UNNAMED	1,438	47 km
2004	ALLEN STUECKLE	1,330	43 km
2005	N HYDE	1,204	94 km
1992	UNNAMED	1,143	82 km
2021	FUZZY	1,075	63 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	11°F (-12°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	18°F (-8°C)	0.4 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.0 in
April	44°F (7°C)	2.0 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.5 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	70°F (21°C)	2.4 in
August	70°F (21°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
September	60°F (15°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.6 in
December	16°F (-9°C)	0.4 in

Java has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 11°F in January to 70°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 17.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.3").

View full profile of Java, SD →