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Weather & Climate in McLaughlin, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
McLaughlin 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 1,995 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 | 1,995 ft (608 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,418/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8133°N, 100.8107°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Campbell County County |
| Nearest Airport | Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 66 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 4.4 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 70.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| 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 | 127 km | 15 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 127 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, 33 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 29, 1953 | EF5 | 72 km | 14.8 mi | 2 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 92 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 89 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 84 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 43 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 56 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 70 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1955 | EF3 | 74 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | EF2 | 46 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2011 | EF2 | 100 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1983 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 19, 1974 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1974 | EF2 | 91 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1970 | EF2 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF2 | 63 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF2 | 15 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1965 | EF2 | 52 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1964 | EF2 | 82 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF2 | 56 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 | 44 km |
| 2002 | LAPLANTE | 14,777 | 65 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,487 | 33 km |
| 2006 | STONE MAN CHURCH | 10,389 | 37 km |
| 2000 | TRIBLE | 9,718 | 21 km |
| 2006 | LUND | 9,425 | 33 km |
| 2006 | BLACK HORSE CREEK | 8,000 | 98 km |
| 1988 | UNNAMED | 7,593 | 47 km |
| 2003 | MCCLEAN BOTTOMS | 6,421 | 90 km |
| 1999 | BULLHEAD | 5,606 | 24 km |
| 2022 | HWY31 AND 101ST WEST | 4,879 | 45 km |
| 2006 | B WARD 1 | 3,325 | 38 km |
| 2015 | CANNON BALL | 3,068 | 61 km |
| 2006 | 1804 | 2,778 | 48 km |
| 2000 | PASTURE 9 BURN | 2,768 | 96 km |
| 2011 | MOUND CITY | 2,755 | 49 km |
| 2012 | MCINTOSH | 2,653 | 48 km |
| 2004 | FISCHER | 2,578 | 58 km |
| 2012 | CORNSTALK | 2,561 | 15 km |
| 2006 | FOUR BEAR | 2,179 | 86 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 |
McLaughlin 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").