All Countries
Weather & Climate in Pine Ridge, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Pine Ridge experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 302 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 16.6 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 3,239 feet.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-4°C)
75°F Jul (24°C)
| Annual Average | 47.8°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 75°F (24°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,239 ft (987 m) |
| Area | 2.8 sq mi (7.4 km²) |
| Population Density | 876/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.0269°N, 102.5524°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Oglala Lakota County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rapid City Regional (RAP) 75 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 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 | 32 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 62 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 1996 | 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.7 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 142 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.6 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 108 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2021 | 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.4 | 98 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 31 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 1998 | 23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska | M3.1 | 58 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 92 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 112 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.1 | 120 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 136 km | 10 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 63 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 82 km | 8 km |
| Mar 10, 2011 | 22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming | M2.9 | 126 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 87 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 59 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
220 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 68 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1994 | EF3 | 53 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1993 | EF3 | 62 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1963 | EF3 | 52 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1956 | EF3 | 53 km | 28.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 2020 | EF2 | 86 km | 3.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2016 | EF2 | 31 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2003 | EF2 | 82 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 24 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 24 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Aug 17, 1983 | EF2 | 46 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1983 | EF2 | 57 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1982 | EF2 | 66 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1982 | EF2 | 54 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1982 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Aug 10, 1980 | EF2 | 89 km | 11.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1978 | EF2 | 28 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1977 | EF2 | 78 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 28, 1976 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF2 | 95 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1969 | EF2 | 77 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELLNITZ (77,277 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | WELLNITZ | 77,277 | 11 km |
| 2012 | WEST ASH | 55,228 | 63 km |
| 2017 | LEGION LAKE | 54,868 | 99 km |
| 1989 | FT.ROBINSON | 46,887 | 93 km |
| 2012 | DOUTHIT | 29,036 | 88 km |
| 2006 | DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX | 27,923 | 55 km |
| 2007 | STAMPEDE | 22,848 | 11 km |
| 1985 | FLINT HILLS | 21,062 | 97 km |
| 1985 | YELLOWBEAR | 19,212 | 48 km |
| 2016 | FREEMAN | 19,121 | 49 km |
| 1985 | 4TH OFJULY | 18,177 | 11 km |
| 2012 | HAY CANYON | 17,815 | 48 km |
| 2000 | HASNOHORSE | 13,420 | 47 km |
| 2022 | CASINO | 11,583 | 31 km |
| 1987 | GRASS CK3 | 11,125 | 28 km |
| 2001 | WEST HELL CANYON | 11,097 | 98 km |
| 2000 | DECKER | 10,883 | 43 km |
| 2007 | ALABAUGH | 10,650 | 91 km |
| 2000 | PEPPER CREEK | 8,915 | 17 km |
| 1985 | SEVEN SISTERS | 8,465 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-4°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 75°F (24°C) | 2.6 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.5 in | |
| September | 62°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in |
Pine Ridge has a seasonal temperature swing of 50°F / from 24°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").