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Weather & Climate in Murdo, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Murdo experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°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 21.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.1 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 2,319 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.4°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,319 ft (707 m) |
| Area | 0.6 sq mi (1.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,005/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.8894°N, 100.7142°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jones County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 40 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 1.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 28.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Very Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
16 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 125 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 90 km | 15 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 129 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 56 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 19 km | 9 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 49 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 121 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 121 km | 9 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2024 | 11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska | M2.6 | 128 km | 11 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 140 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
212 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 20 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 23, 1973 | EF3 | 59 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 11 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 18 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2016 | EF2 | 98 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF2 | 89 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1993 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1992 | EF2 | 83 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF2 | 78 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1987 | EF2 | 69 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1979 | EF2 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1974 | EF2 | 86 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 57 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 64 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1973 | EF2 | 72 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1971 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 32 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 17 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 | 92 km |
| 2012 | LONGHORN COMPLEX | 41,443 | 85 km |
| 1988 | LIGHTNING | 18,426 | 78 km |
| 2024 | POWER DAM ROAD | 15,047 | 25 km |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 50 km |
| 1987 | BIG FIRE | 9,107 | 65 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 83 km |
| 2021 | DRY CREEK CA | 8,123 | 14 km |
| 2017 | WANBLEE TIMBER | 4,982 | 73 km |
| 1991 | YELLOWROBE | 4,679 | 57 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 69 km |
| 2012 | TOWER | 4,599 | 33 km |
| 2006 | THOMPSON COMPLEX | 3,230 | 68 km |
| 2022 | WEST SF | 3,126 | 81 km |
| 2000 | CLOVER | 3,062 | 67 km |
| 2002 | LOOKING | 2,981 | 83 km |
| 2021 | WHIPPLE CAMP | 2,643 | 33 km |
| 2006 | RATTLE SNAKE BUTTE | 2,590 | 35 km |
| 1992 | RIDGE RUNN | 1,976 | 98 km |
| 2015 | FORT | 1,968 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.5 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in |
Murdo has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").