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Weather & Climate in Mountain Plains, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Mountain Plains experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 71°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 21.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 70.5 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 4,292 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
71°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 46.5°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 4,292 ft (1,308 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 258/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.4670°N, 103.8636°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 44 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Sep 25, 2009 | 15 km E of Alzada, Montana | M4.2 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 55 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 99 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2021 | 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.4 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 78 km | 10 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 113 km | 8 km |
| Jan 5, 2004 | 28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M2.8 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 122 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1993 | 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota | M2.7 | 9 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jan 24, 2004 | 8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota | M2.5 | 74 km | 5 km |
| Nov 5, 1991 | 1 km ESE of Lead, South Dakota | M2.5 | 16 km | 0 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
163 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 42 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF4 | 91 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF3 | 18 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF3 | 59 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF3 | 47 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1965 | EF3 | 29 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1965 | EF3 | 39 km | 20.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1963 | EF3 | 67 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 27 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 25 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2016 | EF2 | 83 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2015 | EF2 | 68 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2014 | EF2 | 63 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF2 | 47 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1993 | EF2 | 26 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF2 | 60 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1984 | EF2 | 88 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1972 | EF2 | 15 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1972 | EF2 | 81 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1969 | EF2 | 24 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JASPER (82,298 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | JASPER | 82,298 | 73 km |
| 2012 | OIL CREEK | 63,182 | 63 km |
| 2017 | LEGION LAKE | 54,868 | 96 km |
| 2003 | RED POINT | 18,057 | 94 km |
| 1988 | GALENA | 16,936 | 85 km |
| 2006 | THORN DIVIDE COMPLEX | 15,261 | 75 km |
| 2002 | BATTLE CREEK | 15,034 | 73 km |
| 1990 | SWEDLUND | 14,673 | 91 km |
| 2001 | ELK MOUNTAIN 2 | 13,758 | 83 km |
| 2001 | ROGERS SHACK | 11,794 | 91 km |
| 2002 | GRIZZLY GULCH | 11,487 | 19 km |
| 1994 | PETERSON-ELLIOTT | 8,321 | 97 km |
| 2011 | WHOOPUP | 7,377 | 83 km |
| 2022 | FISH | 7,045 | 39 km |
| 2016 | KARA CREEK | 6,543 | 66 km |
| 1988 | NEW HAVEN | 6,118 | 86 km |
| 2000 | WOOD DRAW | 5,792 | 83 km |
| 2004 | BASIN DRAW | 4,655 | 40 km |
| 2006 | CUMMINGS | 4,455 | 91 km |
| 1997 | DEWEY 2 | 4,376 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 40°F (5°C) | 2.8 in | |
| May | 50°F (10°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 60°F (16°C) | 3.7 in | |
| July | 71°F (21°C) | 2.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 66°F (19°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 56°F (13°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 1.0 in | Coldest |
Mountain Plains has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 25°F in December to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (0.8").