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Weather & Climate in Martin, SD

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

Martin experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 291 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 20.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.4 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 3,323 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average47.4°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,323 ft (1,013 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density1,882/sq mi
Coordinates43.1749°N, 101.7323°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyBennett County County
Nearest AirportRapid City Regional (RAP)
90 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.7"
46% below US avg
Snowfall 48.4"
Wettest Month (Jun) 3.31"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskVery Low
Risk Score5.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability93.8 / 100
Community Resilience2.7 / 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 Relatively Low
Ice Storm Very Low
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

27 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 25, 2003 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota M4.0 11 km 5 km
Jan 28, 1990 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota M4.0 64 km 5 km
Mar 9, 2025 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota M3.6 138 km 5 km
Oct 18, 2012 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska M3.6 109 km 5 km
Dec 12, 2013 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota M3.5 147 km 5 km
Aug 26, 1991 15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska M3.4 149 km 5 km
Jan 25, 1994 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska M3.3 143 km 5 km
Jun 18, 2015 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska M3.3 113 km 5 km
Aug 5, 2022 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota M3.2 131 km 9 km
Apr 11, 2016 11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska M3.2 140 km 5 km
Mar 2, 1990 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota M3.2 64 km 5 km
Jul 12, 1998 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota M3.1 66 km 5 km
Feb 20, 1993 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska M3.1 44 km 5 km
Feb 7, 2007 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota M3.1 117 km 5 km
Jun 18, 1998 23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska M3.1 120 km 5 km
Jan 16, 2012 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M3.0 108 km 5 km
Jan 1, 2025 4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska M3.0 137 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2024 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M2.9 130 km 8 km
Apr 4, 2024 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota M2.8 61 km 9 km
Jul 17, 2016 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota M2.8 117 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

221 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 75 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Path Fatalities
May 18, 1977 EF3 96 km 18.8 mi 0
Jun 6, 1963 EF3 17 km 24.4 mi 0
Jun 15, 1962 EF3 57 km 0.1 mi 0
Aug 6, 1956 EF3 45 km 28.3 mi 0
Jul 26, 2016 EF2 61 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 13, 2009 EF2 88 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 3, 2003 EF2 13 km 3.0 mi 0
Jun 4, 1999 EF2 85 km 4.0 mi 0
Jun 4, 1999 EF2 92 km 15.0 mi 1
Jun 15, 1992 EF2 95 km 2.0 mi 0
Mar 29, 1982 EF2 18 km 0.2 mi 0
Sep 7, 1979 EF2 66 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 25, 1978 EF2 49 km 11.1 mi 0
Jul 10, 1977 EF2 30 km 15.9 mi 0
Jul 19, 1975 EF2 68 km 20.9 mi 0
Jul 2, 1974 EF2 66 km 18.5 mi 0
Jul 8, 1973 EF2 74 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 27, 1972 EF2 64 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 15, 1971 EF2 89 km 0.1 mi 0
Jul 26, 1964 EF2 98 km 0.1 mi 0
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELLNITZ (77,277 acres, 2012).

Year Name Acres Burned Distance
2012 WELLNITZ 77,277 80 km
2000 POWDER HORN 48,608 81 km
2016 COTTONWOOD CA 41,775 82 km
2012 LONGHORN COMPLEX 41,443 52 km
2007 STAMPEDE 22,848 76 km
1985 YELLOWBEAR 19,212 37 km
1988 LIGHTNING 18,426 56 km
1985 4TH OFJULY 18,177 76 km
2024 POWER DAM ROAD 15,047 93 km
2012 CROOKSTON 14,962 75 km
2000 HASNOHORSE 13,420 29 km
2022 CASINO 11,583 95 km
1987 GRASS CK3 11,125 71 km
2000 DECKER 10,883 38 km
1987 BIG FIRE 9,107 74 km
2000 PEPPER CREEK 8,915 66 km
2002 WANNA 7,699 85 km
2023 MCCANN 7,110 71 km
2002 COTTONWOOD 6,696 52 km
1985 CALICO 6,475 70 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 24°F (-5°C) 0.3 in Coldest, Driest
February 28°F (-2°C) 0.4 in
March 35°F (2°C) 1.0 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.9 in
May 56°F (14°C) 3.0 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.3 in Wettest
July 73°F (23°C) 2.8 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 1.8 in
September 62°F (16°C) 1.4 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.1 in
November 34°F (1°C) 0.5 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 0.4 in

Martin has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.3").

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