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Weather & Climate in Old Elm Spring Colony, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Old Elm Spring Colony experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 19°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 25.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.2 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 1,267 feet.
Temperature
19°F Jan (-7°C)
74°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 48.2°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 19°F (-7°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,267 ft (386 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 46/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.4918°N, 97.8043°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hutchinson County County |
| Nearest Airport | Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.9 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 17.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 93.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively High |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
12 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 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 93 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 50 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 118 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 57 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 78 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
565 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 357 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 77 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 88 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 30 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 76 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 60 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 59 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 54 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 99 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 71 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 54 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 80 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 88 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 42 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 69 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 58 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 25 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 58 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1965 | EF3 | 60 km | 15.4 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 1965 | EF3 | 25 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 5, 1962 | EF3 | 70 km | 9.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).
Wildfire History
3 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: KAYLKOWSKI (1,966 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | KAYLKOWSKI | 1,966 | 96 km |
| 2012 | SIX PACK | 1,649 | 78 km |
| 2023 | SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I | 1,185 | 73 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 23°F (-5°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 48°F (9°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 60°F (16°C) | 3.4 in | |
| June | 70°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (24°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 2.4 in | |
| October | 50°F (10°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.5 in |
Old Elm Spring Colony has a seasonal temperature swing of 55°F / from 19°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and January the driest (0.4").