Weather & Climate in Parmelee, SD

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

Parmelee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°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 21.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 47.2 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 2,680 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.6°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-5°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,680 ft (817 m)
Area	5.8 sq mi (15.0 km²)
Population Density	112/sq mi
Coordinates	43.3337°N, 101.0430°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Bennett County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 74 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.9"

42% below US avg

Snowfall 47.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.35"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	93.8 / 100
Community Resilience	2.7 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Relatively 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

21 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	118 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	67 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	145 km	5 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	137 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	108 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	123 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	80 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	118 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	80 km	9 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	123 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	25 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	146 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	66 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	125 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	96 km	9 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	145 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	112 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	67 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	122 km	5 km
Aug 6, 2012	21 km WNW of Mullen, Nebraska	M2.5	140 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

214 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 11 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 6, 1963	EF3	75 km	24.4 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	45 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	92 km	28.3 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	63 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	69 km	3.9 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	60 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	95 km	2.9 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	61 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	45 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	95 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	92 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 29, 1982	EF2	76 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	23 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	65 km	15.9 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	45 km	20.9 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	25 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 8, 1973	EF2	20 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF2	89 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1971	EF2	32 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	49 km	0.3 mi	0

Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950-2024, US only).

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	97 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	77 km
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	92 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	18 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	88 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	12 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	100 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	43 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	41 km
2000	HASNOHORSE	13,420	85 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	66 km
2000	DECKER	10,883	91 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	17 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	68 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	54 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	93 km
2006	RED WATER	5,407	89 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,014	83 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	51 km
2003	PAPA	4,746	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.3 in
April	46°F (8°C)	2.0 in
May	58°F (14°C)	3.1 in
June	67°F (20°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	2.8 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.8 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.4 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Parmelee has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 24°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and January the driest (0.3").

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