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Weather & Climate in Onida, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Onida experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 276 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 21.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 48.8 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 1,864 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
74°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 46.0°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,864 ft (568 m) |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.7 km²) |
| Population Density | 982/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.7049°N, 100.0675°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Sully County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 25 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 75.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
6 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 38 km | 15 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 48 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 92 km | 9 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 17 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 90 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
252 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 1 fatality, 40 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 86 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 89 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1973 | EF3 | 45 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 82 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 89 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 93 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1957 | EF3 | 82 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | EF2 | 85 km | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 82 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2001 | EF2 | 68 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 1993 | EF2 | 43 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 30, 1992 | EF2 | 39 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Aug 5, 1987 | EF2 | 78 km | 1.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 1983 | EF2 | 68 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Sep 2, 1983 | EF2 | 73 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 85 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Apr 19, 1973 | EF2 | 95 km | 4.9 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1971 | EF2 | 8 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
19 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LAPLANTE (14,777 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | LAPLANTE | 14,777 | 76 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 71 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 83 km |
| 2020 | BENT RIM | 3,665 | 96 km |
| 2006 | THOMPSON COMPLEX | 3,230 | 50 km |
| 2000 | CLOVER | 3,062 | 66 km |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 87 km |
| 2022 | ROHRBACH | 2,887 | 85 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE BEND | 2,789 | 49 km |
| 2006 | 1804 | 2,778 | 97 km |
| 2023 | LITTLE BEND RX | 2,574 | 49 km |
| 2006 | FOUR BEAR | 2,179 | 50 km |
| 2006 | FT PIERRE COMPLEX | 1,812 | 50 km |
| 2011 | HIGHWAY 47 | 1,800 | 89 km |
| 2005 | CHAOS | 1,539 | 84 km |
| 2001 | VAN METRE | 1,336 | 79 km |
| 2000 | BAD HORSE | 1,215 | 75 km |
| 2005 | N HYDE | 1,204 | 50 km |
| 2021 | FUZZY | 1,075 | 52 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.7 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (24°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 62°F (16°C) | 1.4 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 31°F (-1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in |
Onida has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.4").