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Weather & Climate in New Witten, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
New Witten experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°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 20.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.3 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 1,978 feet.
Temperature
23°F Jan (-5°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 47.4°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 23°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,978 ft (603 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 236/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4406°N, 100.0820°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Mellette County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 60 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 5.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 87.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | 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: M4.3.
| Nov 3, 2002 | 16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska | M4.3 | 122 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 119 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 143 km | 15 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Aug 26, 1991 | 15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.4 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 64 km | 9 km |
| Apr 11, 2016 | 11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.2 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2025 | 4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.0 | 140 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 84 km | 5 km |
| Feb 1, 2006 | 6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska | M2.9 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 65 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2024 | 11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska | M2.6 | 143 km | 11 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
269 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 35 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 8, 1965 | EF5 | 57 km | 30.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 11, 2011 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF3 | 71 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 81 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 8, 1965 | EF3 | 68 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 15, 1962 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 14, 1962 | EF3 | 64 km | 53.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 82 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2016 | EF2 | 54 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 19 km | 2.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 57 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF2 | 87 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 9, 2002 | EF2 | 80 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF2 | 19 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 1993 | EF2 | 49 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1987 | EF2 | 67 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1986 | EF2 | 95 km | 6.0 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 | 71 km |
| 2012 | LONGHORN COMPLEX | 41,443 | 86 km |
| 1988 | LIGHTNING | 18,426 | 81 km |
| 2024 | POWER DAM ROAD | 15,047 | 65 km |
| 2012 | CROOKSTON | 14,962 | 79 km |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 21 km |
| 1987 | BIG FIRE | 9,107 | 63 km |
| 2021 | DRY CREEK CA | 8,123 | 84 km |
| 2023 | MCCANN | 7,110 | 98 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 6,910 | 86 km |
| 1998 | TNC | 4,683 | 68 km |
| 1991 | YELLOWROBE | 4,679 | 57 km |
| 2012 | TOWER | 4,599 | 64 km |
| 2006 | THOMPSON COMPLEX | 3,230 | 90 km |
| 2022 | WEST SF | 3,126 | 75 km |
| 2000 | CLOVER | 3,062 | 76 km |
| 2002 | LOOKING | 2,981 | 76 km |
| 2023 | NENFR-HFR-FY23-RX-UNITS 35-36-39 | 2,936 | 71 km |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 99 km |
| 2012 | UNNAMED | 2,875 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 59°F (15°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 69°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 64°F (18°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in |
New Witten has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 23°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").