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Weather & Climate in Mitchell, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Mitchell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 261 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,303 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.6°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 261 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,303 ft (397 m) |
| Area | 12.1 sq mi (31.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,354/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.7271°N, 98.0422°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Davison County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 3 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 39.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 29.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 81.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska | M4.3 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 35 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 106 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
512 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 8 fatalities, 238 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 45 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 65 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 29 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 90 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 64 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 90 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 31 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 98 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 72 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 38 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 91 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 88 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 62 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 61 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 98 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 57 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 88 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 7 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 86 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: GANN VALLEY (2,534 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | GANN VALLEY | 2,534 | 87 km |
| 2023 | SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I | 1,185 | 60 km |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 78 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.6 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.3 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.3 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in |
Mitchell has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").