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Weather & Climate in Newell, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Newell experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°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 16.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,821 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.7°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,821 ft (860 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 489/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.7175°N, 103.4183°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Butte County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 23.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 36.1 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 27.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively 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: M4.2.
| Sep 25, 2009 | 15 km E of Alzada, Montana | M4.2 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 86 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 101 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 112 km | 10 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 130 km | 8 km |
| Jan 5, 2004 | 28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M2.8 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 147 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1993 | 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota | M2.7 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Jul 29, 2013 | 18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana | M2.6 | 139 km | 8 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 124 km | 5 km |
| Nov 5, 1991 | 1 km ESE of Lead, South Dakota | M2.5 | 49 km | 0 km |
| Jan 24, 2004 | 8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota | M2.5 | 82 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
153 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 44 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF4 | 68 km | 1.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF3 | 91 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF3 | 63 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF3 | 60 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF3 | 92 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1965 | EF3 | 17 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1965 | EF3 | 84 km | 20.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1963 | EF3 | 29 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 2, 2024 | EF2 | 87 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 71 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 69 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 97 km | 7.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 88 km | 2.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 2018 | EF2 | 90 km | 6.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2016 | EF2 | 96 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2015 | EF2 | 47 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2014 | EF2 | 91 km | 16.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF2 | 81 km | 9.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1993 | EF2 | 37 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WHITE OWL (20,022 acres, 2006).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2006 | WHITE OWL | 20,022 | 89 km |
| 2002 | BATTLE CREEK | 15,034 | 89 km |
| 2015 | SHEEP DRAW | 13,837 | 81 km |
| 2002 | GRIZZLY GULCH | 11,487 | 47 km |
| 2022 | FISH | 7,045 | 84 km |
| 2000 | CAMP CROOK COMPLEX | 6,927 | 98 km |
| 1988 | SHORT PINES | 5,516 | 85 km |
| 2004 | BASIN DRAW | 4,655 | 67 km |
| 2008 | BASELINE BUGS PB | 4,315 | 84 km |
| 1988 | MCDOWELLE | 4,096 | 99 km |
| 1988 | WESTBERRY TRAIL | 3,944 | 72 km |
| 1992 | HERMOSA FIRE | 3,905 | 95 km |
| 2000 | LICKINY | 3,802 | 39 km |
| 1985 | LANTZ | 3,737 | 73 km |
| 2005 | RICCO | 3,553 | 56 km |
| 2006 | EAST RIDGE | 3,370 | 56 km |
| 2005 | CEMENT | 3,032 | 73 km |
| 2016 | CROW PEAK | 2,848 | 52 km |
| 2015 | MOONSHINE | 2,768 | 95 km |
| 2001 | LEMON BUTTE | 2,556 | 88 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.8 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 1.9 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 3.0 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.8 in | Wettest |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.8 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 3.2 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 3.0 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 2.7 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 2.2 in | |
| November | 33°F (0°C) | 2.2 in | |
| December | 23°F (-5°C) | 2.2 in |
Newell has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 32.8 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.8") and January the driest (1.8").