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Weather & Climate in Kenel, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Kenel has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 311 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 17.8 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.0 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 1,987 feet.
Temperature
14°F Jan (-10°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 44.3°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 14°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,987 ft (606 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 127/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8545°N, 100.4592°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Campbell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 65 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 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 | 130 km | 15 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 119 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
222 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 4 fatalities, 44 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1953 | EF5 | 68 km | 14.8 mi | 2 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 71 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 64 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 16 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 52 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 41 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 31, 1966 | EF3 | 78 km | 26.4 mi | 2 |
| Jul 1, 1955 | EF3 | 60 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | EF2 | 25 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 80 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2001 | EF2 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1983 | EF2 | 14 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF2 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF2 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1974 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1970 | EF2 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF2 | 39 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1965 | EF2 | 24 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | TENBROOK | 30,588 | 62 km |
| 2002 | LAPLANTE | 14,777 | 70 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,487 | 41 km |
| 2006 | STONE MAN CHURCH | 10,389 | 65 km |
| 2000 | TRIBLE | 9,718 | 7 km |
| 2006 | LUND | 9,425 | 40 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 7,593 | 53 km |
| 2003 | MCCLEAN BOTTOMS | 6,421 | 85 km |
| 1999 | BULLHEAD | 5,606 | 51 km |
| 2022 | HWY31 AND 101ST WEST | 4,879 | 68 km |
| 2006 | B WARD 1 | 3,325 | 64 km |
| 2015 | CANNON BALL | 3,068 | 56 km |
| 2022 | ROHRBACH | 2,887 | 96 km |
| 2006 | 1804 | 2,778 | 35 km |
| 2011 | MOUND CITY | 2,755 | 24 km |
| 2012 | MCINTOSH | 2,653 | 74 km |
| 2004 | FISCHER | 2,578 | 52 km |
| 2012 | CORNSTALK | 2,561 | 32 km |
| 2006 | FOUR BEAR | 2,179 | 84 km |
| 2000 | NEUGERFIRE | 2,150 | 54 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°F (-10°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.4 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in |
Kenel has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 14°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").