Weather & Climate in Lemmon, SD

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

Lemmon experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 19°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 18.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 42.3 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 2,566 feet.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	45.7°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	19°F (-7°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,566 ft (782 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density	1,104/sq mi
Coordinates	45.9384°N, 102.1598°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Perkins County County
Nearest Airport	Dickinson/Theodore Roosevelt Regional (DIK) 67 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 18.0"

53% below US avg

Snowfall 42.3"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.39"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	2.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	13.3 / 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 Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Tornado History

145 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 41 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 4, 1978	EF4	56 km	26.0 mi	5
Jun 29, 1975	EF4	91 km	68.0 mi	1
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	69 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 2011	EF2	43 km	6.0 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	86 km	22.9 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	56 km	8.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 1986	EF2	47 km	10.5 mi	0
May 25, 1972	EF2	57 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 12, 1969	EF2	49 km	6.1 mi	0
Jul 17, 1969	EF2	5 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 7, 1969	EF2	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	18 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF2	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 1964	EF2	52 km	0.8 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF1	94 km	2.2 mi	0
Jul 12, 2019	EF1	53 km	2.9 mi	0
Jun 21, 2016	EF1	45 km	3.2 mi	0
Jun 30, 2015	EF1	98 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 17, 2010	EF1	38 km	0.6 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF1	18 km	1.6 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	80 km
2021	WINDY	16,866	8 km
2013	PAUTRE	11,733	28 km
2021	DIVIDE CA	10,635	59 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	74 km
2006	BLACK HORSE CREEK	8,000	39 km
1999	BULLHEAD	5,606	86 km
2006	KELLY	5,071	70 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	66 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	82 km
2015	MOONSHINE	2,768	91 km
2000	PASTURE 9 BURN	2,768	33 km
2007	HAY CREEK	2,655	46 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	59 km
2003	MEAT HOOK	2,522	100 km
2007	HARRIS	2,369	31 km
2000	UNNAMED	2,050	25 km
1987	UNNAMED	1,869	80 km
2024	LOST BOY BUTTE	1,647	74 km
1999	DOUG DAHL	1,464	81 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	19°F (-7°C)	0.4 in	Driest
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.5 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.0 in
April	43°F (6°C)	2.1 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.9 in
June	65°F (18°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	70°F (21°C)	1.7 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.5 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.0 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in
December	19°F (-8°C)	0.5 in	Coldest

Lemmon has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 19°F in December to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.4").

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