Weather & Climate in Pierre, SD

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

Pierre experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 19°F in January while summers reach 75°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 20.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 37.2 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,704 feet.

Temperature

19°F Jan (-7°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	47.0°F
	13% below US avg
January Average	19°F (-7°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,704 ft (519 m)
Area	13.1 sq mi (33.8 km²)
Population Density	1,075/sq mi
Coordinates	44.3752°N, 100.3200°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Stanley County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 2 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.2"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 37.2"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.19"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.39"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	45.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Very Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Very 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	39 km	15 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	7 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	51 km	9 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	111 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	59 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	132 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	78 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	144 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

204 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 30 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	80 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	4 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	66 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 1971	EF3	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	73 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	63 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 12, 1993	EF2	1 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 30, 1992	EF2	32 km	0.3 mi	0
Aug 5, 1987	EF2	53 km	1.2 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	56 km	5.6 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	80 km	2.7 mi	0
Oct 1, 1971	EF2	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	98 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	55 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	51 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 18, 1970	EF2	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF2	6 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1964	EF2	100 km	24.6 mi	0
Jun 8, 1964	EF2	84 km	3.8 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: POWER DAM ROAD (15,047 acres, 2024).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	87 km
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	100 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	91 km
2000	GENO H.	10,423	98 km
2000	HOUCK RANCH	8,746	57 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	66 km
2000	JENSEN	4,739	100 km
2000	HAYES	4,627	60 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	95 km
2020	BENT RIM	3,665	94 km
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	27 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	42 km
2022	HOLIDAY	2,936	84 km
2005	LITTLE BEND	2,789	55 km
2021	WHIPPLE CAMP	2,643	91 km
2006	RATTLE SNAKE BUTTE	2,590	91 km
2023	LITTLE BEND RX	2,574	54 km
2006	FOUR BEAR	2,179	81 km
2003	HOG	1,935	91 km
2006	FT PIERRE COMPLEX	1,812	16 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	19°F (-7°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	23°F (-5°C)	0.5 in
March	34°F (1°C)	1.1 in
April	47°F (8°C)	1.9 in
May	59°F (15°C)	2.8 in
June	69°F (20°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	75°F (24°C)	2.5 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	1.8 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.4 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.3 in
November	33°F (0°C)	0.6 in
December	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in

Pierre has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 19°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.4").

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