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Weather & Climate in Norris, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Norris experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 49°F (9°C). Winters average 26°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 21.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,493 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-4°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 49.0°F |
| 9% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,493 ft (760 m) |
| Area | 0.8 sq mi (2.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 140/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4723°N, 101.1928°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Jackson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 77 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 10.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
20 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 107 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 65 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 144 km | 15 km |
| Jan 25, 1994 | 8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska | M3.3 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 116 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 2015 | 15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska | M3.3 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Apr 11, 2016 | 11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.2 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 77 km | 9 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 11 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jan 1, 2025 | 4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska | M3.0 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 80 km | 9 km |
| Mar 20, 2010 | 9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska | M2.7 | 130 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2024 | 11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska | M2.6 | 67 km | 11 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 139 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
215 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 6, 1963 | EF3 | 71 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1962 | EF3 | 61 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1956 | EF3 | 80 km | 28.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 59 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2016 | EF2 | 79 km | 4.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 13, 2009 | EF2 | 80 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2003 | EF2 | 42 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF2 | 73 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1982 | EF2 | 70 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 7, 1979 | EF2 | 42 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1977 | EF2 | 70 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 19, 1975 | EF2 | 63 km | 20.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1974 | EF2 | 44 km | 18.5 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 99 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 89 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 1973 | EF2 | 38 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF2 | 99 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1971 | EF2 | 48 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 58 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: POWDER HORN (48,608 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | POWDER HORN | 48,608 | 93 km |
| 2016 | COTTONWOOD CA | 41,775 | 72 km |
| 2012 | LONGHORN COMPLEX | 41,443 | 34 km |
| 1985 | YELLOWBEAR | 19,212 | 77 km |
| 1988 | LIGHTNING | 18,426 | 30 km |
| 2024 | POWER DAM ROAD | 15,047 | 38 km |
| 2012 | CROOKSTON | 14,962 | 61 km |
| 2000 | HASNOHORSE | 13,420 | 83 km |
| 2011 | OKREEK | 11,115 | 74 km |
| 2000 | DECKER | 10,883 | 82 km |
| 1987 | BIG FIRE | 9,107 | 34 km |
| 2021 | DRY CREEK CA | 8,123 | 57 km |
| 2023 | MCCANN | 7,110 | 71 km |
| 2002 | COTTONWOOD | 6,696 | 93 km |
| 2006 | RED WATER | 5,407 | 75 km |
| 2017 | WANBLEE TIMBER | 4,982 | 32 km |
| 2003 | PAPA | 4,746 | 65 km |
| 1991 | YELLOWROBE | 4,679 | 35 km |
| 2012 | TOWER | 4,599 | 32 km |
| 2020 | ADAMSON CA | 4,175 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-4°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.4 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.8 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 35°F (1°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Norris has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.3").