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Weather & Climate in La Plant, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
La Plant experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 74°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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,021 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.2°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,021 ft (616 m) |
| Area | 9.5 sq mi (24.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 28/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.1282°N, 100.6409°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dewey County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 54 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
4 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 | 50 km | 15 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 133 km | 9 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 62 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
214 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 29 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 78 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 96 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 90 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1973 | EF3 | 90 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 56 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 63 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | EF2 | 69 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 55 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2001 | EF2 | 77 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1993 | EF2 | 88 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1983 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 92 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1971 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1970 | EF2 | 27 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF2 | 77 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1965 | EF2 | 92 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: LAPLANTE (14,777 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | LAPLANTE | 14,777 | 12 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,487 | 45 km |
| 2000 | GENO H. | 10,423 | 85 km |
| 2006 | STONE MAN CHURCH | 10,389 | 81 km |
| 2000 | TRIBLE | 9,718 | 83 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 62 km |
| 1999 | BULLHEAD | 5,606 | 75 km |
| 2000 | JENSEN | 4,739 | 66 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 81 km |
| 2020 | BENT RIM | 3,665 | 55 km |
| 2006 | B WARD 1 | 3,325 | 70 km |
| 2022 | ROHRBACH | 2,887 | 95 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE BEND | 2,789 | 37 km |
| 2006 | 1804 | 2,778 | 53 km |
| 2011 | MOUND CITY | 2,755 | 79 km |
| 2023 | LITTLE BEND RX | 2,574 | 37 km |
| 2012 | CORNSTALK | 2,561 | 92 km |
| 2006 | FOUR BEAR | 2,179 | 21 km |
| 2000 | FTMANUEL | 2,124 | 85 km |
| 2024 | STATELINE | 2,123 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in |
La Plant has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").