Weather & Climate in Okaton, SD

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

Okaton experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 21°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 21.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.1 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 2,107 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	47.4°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,107 ft (642 m)
Area	29.8 sq mi (77.2 km²)
Population Density	1/sq mi
Coordinates	43.8521°N, 100.8814°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Jones County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 47 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.7"

43% below US avg

Snowfall 49.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.11"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	1.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	28.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Very 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	144 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	113 km	5 km
May 30, 2024	38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota	M3.7	96 km	15 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	149 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	67 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	128 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	144 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	33 km	9 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	138 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	38 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	123 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	132 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	148 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	107 km	9 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	112 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	137 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	116 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	102 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	143 km	5 km
Apr 27, 2025	9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota	M2.5	150 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

203 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 18 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	70 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	7 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	10 km	3.9 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	99 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	97 km	2.9 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	90 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	98 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1993	EF2	73 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 30, 1992	EF2	96 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	66 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 5, 1987	EF2	83 km	1.2 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	78 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	80 km	18.5 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	58 km	2.7 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	57 km	5.6 mi	0
Jul 8, 1973	EF2	67 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1971	EF2	64 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	31 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	51 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	46 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: COTTONWOOD CA (41,775 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	79 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	77 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	71 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	20 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	96 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	58 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	60 km
2000	HOUCK RANCH	8,746	85 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	9 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	59 km
1991	YELLOWROBE	4,679	53 km
2000	HAYES	4,627	69 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	28 km
1999	BIG BUFFALO CREEK	3,981	90 km
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	81 km
2022	WEST SF	3,126	75 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	81 km
2002	LOOKING	2,981	77 km
2002	POTATO CREEK	2,733	99 km
2021	WHIPPLE CAMP	2,643	19 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	26°F (-3°C)	0.4 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.4 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.1 in
May	58°F (15°C)	2.8 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.1 in	Wettest
July	75°F (24°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	1.7 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.3 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.3 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in

Okaton has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.4").

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