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Weather & Climate in Lower Brule, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Lower Brule has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 15°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 18.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 40.0 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 1,476 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 44.3°F |
| 18% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,476 ft (450 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 2,158/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0741°N, 99.5838°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Buffalo County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 13.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 66.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively 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
14 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 | 102 km | 15 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 74 km | 9 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 11 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 101 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
282 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 46 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 94 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 75 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 100 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 13 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1973 | EF3 | 68 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF3 | 40 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 2 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 22 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1962 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 56 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 64 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1993 | EF2 | 78 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1993 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1992 | EF2 | 42 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
14 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: OKREEK (11,115 acres, 2011).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 80 km |
| 2006 | THOMPSON COMPLEX | 3,230 | 41 km |
| 2000 | CLOVER | 3,062 | 29 km |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 23 km |
| 2000 | GANN VALLEY | 2,534 | 55 km |
| 2000 | NOVOTNY AND WAGNER | 1,968 | 96 km |
| 2006 | FT PIERRE COMPLEX | 1,812 | 54 km |
| 2011 | HIGHWAY 47 | 1,800 | 10 km |
| 2005 | CHAOS | 1,539 | 14 km |
| 2001 | VAN METRE | 1,336 | 91 km |
| 2014 | OKREEK | 1,273 | 72 km |
| 2000 | BAD HORSE | 1,215 | 17 km |
| 2005 | N HYDE | 1,204 | 72 km |
| 2023 | SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I | 1,185 | 96 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.4 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 | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.6 in | |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in |
Lower Brule has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 15°F in January to 73°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").