Weather & Climate in Mission, SD

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

Mission experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°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 20.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.5 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 2,579 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.5°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,579 ft (786 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	2,339/sq mi
Coordinates	43.3063°N, 100.6609°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Todd County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.9"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 41.5"

Wettest Month (May) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	36.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	97.7 / 100
Community Resilience	0.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

21 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	149 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	95 km	5 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	128 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	87 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	116 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	64 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	149 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	71 km	9 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	112 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	46 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	84 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	117 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	133 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	124 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	127 km	9 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	121 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	83 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	94 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	147 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2012	21 km WNW of Mullen, Nebraska	M2.5	145 km	5 km

Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

227 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 20 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	84 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 2011	EF3	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	56 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	77 km	53.8 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	72 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	69 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	36 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	65 km	2.9 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	73 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	54 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	75 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	64 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 1993	EF2	96 km	3.0 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	27 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	88 km	15.9 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	49 km	20.9 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	29 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 8, 1973	EF2	15 km	1.0 mi	0
Oct 18, 1971	EF2	92 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 15, 1971	EF2	1 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: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	72 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	81 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	37 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	32 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	92 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	43 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	38 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	42 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	15 km
1990	GOOSECREEK	8,408	97 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	72 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	57 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	85 km
2000	PONY	5,982	94 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,014	79 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	78 km
1998	TNC	4,683	63 km
1991	YELLOWROBE	4,679	13 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	36 km
2020	ADAMSON CA	4,175	90 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
March	35°F (1°C)	1.3 in
April	46°F (8°C)	2.1 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
June	67°F (20°C)	3.2 in
July	74°F (23°C)	3.0 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.9 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.6 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.3 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in

Mission has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 23°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.3 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.3").

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