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Weather & Climate in Philip, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Philip experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 311 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 16.3 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 2,224 feet.
Temperature
22°F Jan (-6°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.6°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 22°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,224 ft (678 m) |
| Area | 0.2 sq mi (0.6 km²) |
| Population Density | 792/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0409°N, 101.6648°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Haakon County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rapid City Regional (RAP) 69 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 9.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 48.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 15.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively 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
19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 105 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 114 km | 15 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 137 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 106 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 95 km | 9 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 73 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 136 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 70 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 123 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 139 km | 8 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 62 km | 9 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 36 km | 5 km |
| Jul 7, 2024 | 11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska | M2.6 | 114 km | 11 km |
| Jan 24, 2004 | 8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota | M2.5 | 123 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
155 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 8 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Aug 6, 1956 | EF3 | 81 km | 28.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 60 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 68 km | 3.9 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 65 km | 22.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2003 | EF2 | 92 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 63 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF2 | 1 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1982 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 38 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 62 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1971 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1964 | EF2 | 5 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1964 | EF2 | 25 km | 14.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1960 | EF2 | 63 km | 13.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 31, 1959 | EF2 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1953 | EF2 | 65 km | 27.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2019 | EF1 | 92 km | 5.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2016 | EF1 | 77 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 28, 2013 | EF1 | 88 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 9, 2011 | EF1 | 12 km | 2.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: COTTONWOOD CA (41,775 acres, 2016).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2016 | COTTONWOOD CA | 41,775 | 22 km |
| 2006 | WHITE OWL | 20,022 | 80 km |
| 1985 | YELLOWBEAR | 19,212 | 87 km |
| 2024 | POWER DAM ROAD | 15,047 | 79 km |
| 2000 | DECKER | 10,883 | 92 km |
| 2000 | GENO H. | 10,423 | 70 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 85 km |
| 2021 | DRY CREEK CA | 8,123 | 64 km |
| 2002 | COTTONWOOD | 6,696 | 94 km |
| 2006 | RED WATER | 5,407 | 71 km |
| 2017 | WANBLEE TIMBER | 4,982 | 49 km |
| 2003 | PAPA | 4,746 | 78 km |
| 2000 | JENSEN | 4,739 | 93 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 67 km |
| 2012 | TOWER | 4,599 | 82 km |
| 1985 | GAME RANGE | 4,059 | 77 km |
| 1999 | BIG BUFFALO CREEK | 3,981 | 39 km |
| 2000 | NO FLESH | 3,828 | 72 km |
| 2001 | W SAGE CK | 3,711 | 64 km |
| 1985 | SAGE CREEK | 2,994 | 54 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 22°F (-6°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 47°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 74°F (23°C) | 1.7 in | |
| September | 63°F (17°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (10°C) | 1.2 in | |
| November | 33°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in |
Philip has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 22°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").