Weather & Climate in New Underwood, SD

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

New Underwood experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 311 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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.5 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 2,889 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	46.7°F
	14% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,889 ft (881 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density	371/sq mi
Coordinates	44.0975°N, 102.8469°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Pennington County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 11 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.4"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 48.5"

Wettest Month (May) 2.87"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	78.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	34.6 / 100
Community Resilience	70.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

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

Earthquake History

22 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	149 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	141 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	92 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	72 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	59 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	49 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	112 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	93 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	23 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	92 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	69 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	69 km	8 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	91 km	5 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	94 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	76 km	9 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	108 km	5 km
Sep 5, 1993	4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota	M2.7	83 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	149 km	11 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	23 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	60 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

175 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 45 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 11, 1991	EF3	32 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1965	EF3	79 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	92 km	28.3 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	99 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	41 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	38 km	19.7 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	75 km	22.3 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	32 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	65 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	94 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	31 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 28, 1972	EF2	86 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	73 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1972	EF2	80 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 23, 1969	EF2	70 km	0.2 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	92 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	87 km	13.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1967	EF2	28 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1966	EF2	52 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 22, 1966	EF2	56 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: JASPER (82,298 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	JASPER	82,298	88 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	65 km
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	82 km
2006	WHITE OWL	20,022	70 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	83 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	89 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	57 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	46 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	70 km
2001	ROGERS SHACK	11,794	95 km
2002	GRIZZLY GULCH	11,487	73 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	94 km
1985	SEVEN SISTERS	8,465	95 km
2002	WANNA	7,699	95 km
2012	MYRTLE	7,645	81 km
1991	SHIRTTAIL	6,828	80 km
2002	COTTONWOOD	6,696	94 km
2015	COLD BROOK	6,441	80 km
2022	TURKEY DAY	5,998	85 km
2006	RED WATER	5,407	88 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	45°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	56°F (13°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
June	66°F (19°C)	2.9 in
July	72°F (22°C)	2.2 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.6 in
September	62°F (16°C)	1.2 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.3 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

New Underwood has a seasonal temperature swing of 48°F / from 24°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.4").

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