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Weather & Climate in Midland, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Midland experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 258 sunny days per year, above the national average. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,881 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.5°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 258 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,881 ft (573 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 318/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0711°N, 101.1554°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Haakon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 48 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.0 / 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 Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
15 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 137 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 121 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 84 km | 15 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 56 km | 9 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 96 km | 9 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2024 | 11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska | M2.6 | 126 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
171 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 18 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 23, 1973 | EF3 | 71 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 26 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 30 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 92 km | 22.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1993 | EF2 | 74 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF2 | 41 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 26 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 33 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1973 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1971 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 56 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF2 | 69 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1964 | EF2 | 36 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1964 | EF2 | 52 km | 14.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1961 | EF2 | 93 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1960 | EF2 | 35 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 25, 1960 | EF2 | 72 km | 10.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1959 | EF2 | 72 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: COTTONWOOD CA (41,775 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | COTTONWOOD CA | 41,775 | 60 km |
| 2012 | LONGHORN COMPLEX | 41,443 | 100 km |
| 1988 | LIGHTNING | 18,426 | 94 km |
| 2024 | POWER DAM ROAD | 15,047 | 52 km |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 90 km |
| 2000 | GENO H. | 10,423 | 70 km |
| 1987 | BIG FIRE | 9,107 | 88 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 62 km |
| 2021 | DRY CREEK CA | 8,123 | 27 km |
| 2017 | WANBLEE TIMBER | 4,982 | 59 km |
| 2000 | JENSEN | 4,739 | 89 km |
| 1991 | YELLOWROBE | 4,679 | 83 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 44 km |
| 2012 | TOWER | 4,599 | 58 km |
| 1999 | BIG BUFFALO CREEK | 3,981 | 74 km |
| 2020 | BENT RIM | 3,665 | 92 km |
| 2006 | THOMPSON COMPLEX | 3,230 | 92 km |
| 2000 | CLOVER | 3,062 | 97 km |
| 1985 | SAGE CREEK | 2,994 | 95 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE BEND | 2,789 | 89 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 47°F (9°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in |
Midland has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").