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Weather & Climate in Parker, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Parker 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 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 27.9 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 1,343 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.4°F |
| 14% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 291 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,343 ft (409 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,066/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.3978°N, 97.1334°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Turner County County |
| Nearest Airport | Joe Foss Field (FSD) 23 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 24.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 12.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 88.2 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| 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.
| Jun 4, 2021 | 10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.7 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 117 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska | M3.6 | 104 km | 5 km |
| Jun 4, 2021 | 9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska | M3.1 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 138 km | 5 km |
| Jan 4, 2021 | 5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota | M3.1 | 71 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 6, 2024 | 6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska | M2.5 | 87 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
631 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 11 fatalities, 279 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 25, 2010 | EF4 | 96 km | 13.7 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 59 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 55 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF4 | 40 km | 54.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1986 | EF4 | 81 km | 52.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1965 | EF4 | 27 km | 7.8 mi | 1 |
| Jun 17, 2014 | EF3 | 96 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 46 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 68 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 55 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| May 7, 1993 | EF3 | 26 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 82 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 3, 1981 | EF3 | 13 km | 12.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 5, 1978 | EF3 | 59 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1971 | EF3 | 98 km | 46.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 85 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Sep 22, 1968 | EF3 | 96 km | 4.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 75 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1967 | EF3 | 80 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 26, 1965 | EF3 | 73 km | 35.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
1 wildfire (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: SIX PACK (1,649 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | SIX PACK | 1,649 | 91 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.7 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 1.7 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 2.5 in | |
| May | 60°F (15°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 69°F (21°C) | 3.7 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.9 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 2.8 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.7 in | |
| November | 32°F (0°C) | 1.1 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.7 in |
Parker has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 17°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 24.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (0.5").