Weather & Climate in Little Eagle, SD

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

Little Eagle has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 14°F in January while summers reach 72°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 20.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.9 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 1,655 feet.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.3°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	14°F (-10°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,655 ft (504 m)
Area	1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density	259/sq mi
Coordinates	45.6851°N, 100.7948°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Dewey County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 75 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.1"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 34.9"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

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

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	113 km	15 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	114 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

203 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 2 fatalities, 36 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	86 km	14.8 mi	2
May 22, 2010	EF4	86 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	87 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	79 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	48 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	48 km	8.8 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	63 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1955	EF3	86 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF2	43 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	96 km	1.4 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	81 km	0.4 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF2	46 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 1970	EF2	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1970	EF2	59 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 1969	EF2	20 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 1965	EF2	55 km	4.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1964	EF2	93 km	24.6 mi	0
Jun 8, 1964	EF2	68 km	3.8 mi	0
May 5, 1964	EF2	70 km	47.5 mi	0
May 5, 1964	EF2	60 km	16.0 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	57 km
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	51 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,487	19 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	37 km
2000	TRIBLE	9,718	28 km
2006	LUND	9,425	47 km
2006	BLACK HORSE CREEK	8,000	97 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	62 km
1999	BULLHEAD	5,606	23 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	54 km
2020	BENT RIM	3,665	95 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	33 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	75 km
2005	LITTLE BEND	2,789	99 km
2006	1804	2,778	39 km
2000	PASTURE 9 BURN	2,768	96 km
2011	MOUND CITY	2,755	48 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	55 km
2004	FISCHER	2,578	71 km
2023	LITTLE BEND RX	2,574	100 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	14°F (-10°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	20°F (-6°C)	0.4 in
March	31°F (-1°C)	1.1 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.1 in
May	58°F (14°C)	2.5 in
June	67°F (19°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.9 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.4 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.1 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
December	17°F (-8°C)	0.4 in

Little Eagle has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

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