Weather & Climate in McIntosh, SD

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

McIntosh has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 72°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 17.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.3 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 2,302 feet.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-9°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	45.0°F
	17% below US avg
January Average	17°F (-9°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,302 ft (702 m)
Area	0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density	137/sq mi
Coordinates	45.9210°N, 101.3486°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Corson County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 65 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.3"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 43.3"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.19"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	38.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	91.2 / 100
Community Resilience	2.9 / 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 Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively High
Landslide	Very Low

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

Tornado History

191 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 7 fatalities, 65 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	79 km	14.8 mi	2
Jul 4, 1978	EF4	67 km	26.0 mi	5
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	65 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	83 km	6.0 mi	0
Jul 30, 1981	EF3	92 km	23.9 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	98 km	8.8 mi	0
Jul 1, 1955	EF3	96 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF2	90 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 12, 2011	EF2	59 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	96 km	0.4 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	83 km	8.2 mi	0
Jul 18, 1986	EF2	82 km	10.5 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF2	81 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 12, 1969	EF2	81 km	6.1 mi	0
Jul 17, 1969	EF2	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 7, 1969	EF2	30 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 1965	EF2	93 km	4.1 mi	0
Aug 29, 1964	EF2	85 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 1, 1964	EF2	98 km	0.8 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	27 km
2021	WINDY	16,866	68 km
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	93 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,487	67 km
2013	PAUTRE	11,733	88 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	25 km
2000	TRIBLE	9,718	62 km
2006	LUND	9,425	46 km
2006	BLACK HORSE CREEK	8,000	64 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	52 km
2003	MCCLEAN BOTTOMS	6,421	96 km
1999	BULLHEAD	5,606	30 km
2006	KELLY	5,071	100 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	10 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	36 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	74 km
2006	1804	2,778	89 km
2000	PASTURE 9 BURN	2,768	60 km
2011	MOUND CITY	2,755	92 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	5 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	17°F (-9°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	0.8 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	56°F (14°C)	2.6 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	71°F (22°C)	1.8 in
September	60°F (16°C)	1.5 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.0 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.4 in
December	18°F (-8°C)	0.4 in

McIntosh has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.3").

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