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Weather & Climate in Oglala, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Oglala 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 261 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 3,145 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 | 261 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,145 ft (959 m) |
| Area | 13.4 sq mi (34.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 128/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1916°N, 102.7097°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Oglala Lakota County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rapid City Regional (RAP) 62 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 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 | 21 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 75 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 1996 | 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.7 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.6 | 125 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 72 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2021 | 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.4 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 21 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 135 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.1 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 1998 | 23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska | M3.1 | 68 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 115 km | 10 km |
| Nov 2, 1992 | 5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 40 km | 5 km |
| Mar 10, 2011 | 22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming | M2.9 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 60 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 65 km | 9 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
211 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 68 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1994 | EF3 | 69 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1993 | EF3 | 79 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1963 | EF3 | 64 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1956 | EF3 | 50 km | 28.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2020 | EF2 | 94 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2016 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2016 | EF2 | 86 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 2012 | EF2 | 91 km | 16.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2003 | EF2 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 6 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 19 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 17, 1983 | EF2 | 29 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1983 | EF2 | 41 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1982 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1982 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1982 | EF2 | 62 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1978 | EF2 | 49 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1977 | EF2 | 95 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1976 | EF2 | 81 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1969 | EF2 | 58 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: WELLNITZ (77,277 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | WELLNITZ | 77,277 | 23 km |
| 2012 | WEST ASH | 55,228 | 68 km |
| 2017 | LEGION LAKE | 54,868 | 77 km |
| 1989 | FT.ROBINSON | 46,887 | 91 km |
| 2012 | DOUTHIT | 29,036 | 84 km |
| 2006 | DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX | 27,923 | 61 km |
| 2007 | STAMPEDE | 22,848 | 13 km |
| 1985 | FLINT HILLS | 21,062 | 79 km |
| 1985 | YELLOWBEAR | 19,212 | 50 km |
| 2016 | FREEMAN | 19,121 | 27 km |
| 1985 | 4TH OFJULY | 18,177 | 12 km |
| 2012 | HAY CANYON | 17,815 | 27 km |
| 1988 | GALENA | 16,936 | 86 km |
| 2002 | BATTLE CREEK | 15,034 | 96 km |
| 1990 | SWEDLUND | 14,673 | 85 km |
| 2016 | INDIAN CANYON | 13,791 | 87 km |
| 2000 | HASNOHORSE | 13,420 | 64 km |
| 2022 | CASINO | 11,583 | 17 km |
| 1987 | GRASS CK3 | 11,125 | 13 km |
| 2001 | WEST HELL CANYON | 11,097 | 80 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 | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 37°F (3°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.5 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Oglala has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 25°F in December to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").