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Weather & Climate in Orient, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Orient has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 15°F in January while summers reach 71°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 21.0 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 1,605 feet.
Temperature
15°F Jan (-10°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.0°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 15°F (-10°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,605 ft (489 m) |
| Area | 0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 186/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.9017°N, 99.0887°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Hand County County |
| Nearest Airport | Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 50 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 14.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 58.6 / 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 | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 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 | 117 km | 15 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 133 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 91 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 105 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 138 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
343 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 60 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 80 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 97 km | 14.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 58 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF3 | 99 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1996 | EF3 | 79 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 46 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 99 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 60 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 71 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1969 | EF3 | 100 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 99 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1961 | EF3 | 92 km | 156.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 9, 1957 | EF3 | 15 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | EF2 | 23 km | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 4, 2020 | EF2 | 88 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 98 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 71 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 97 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HOLIDAY (2,936 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 87 km |
| 2022 | ROHRBACH | 2,887 | 57 km |
| 2000 | GANN VALLEY | 2,534 | 80 km |
| 2005 | CHAOS | 1,539 | 92 km |
| 2004 | TACOMA PARK PLACE | 1,336 | 95 km |
| 2005 | N HYDE | 1,204 | 35 km |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 80 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 15°F (-10°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 20°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.7 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 18°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
Orient has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 15°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and December the driest (0.4").