Weather & Climate in Platte, SD

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

Platte experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 21°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 25.9 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 1,602 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.6°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,602 ft (488 m)
Area	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km²)
Population Density	1,248/sq mi
Coordinates	43.3869°N, 98.8435°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Charles Mix County County
Nearest Airport	Mitchell Municipal (MHE) 48 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.9"

32% below US avg

Snowfall 37.2"

Wettest Month (May) 3.62"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	48.5 / 100
Social Vulnerability	61.0 / 100
Community Resilience	51.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Relatively Moderate
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Very Low

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

17 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.3.

Nov 3, 2002	16 km SSW of Butte, Nebraska	M4.3	69 km	5 km
Jun 4, 2021	10 km NE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.7	43 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	1 km N of Wausa, Nebraska	M3.6	144 km	5 km
Oct 25, 1990	8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota	M3.6	54 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	135 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	146 km	9 km
Jun 4, 2021	9 km ENE of Anoka, Nebraska	M3.1	44 km	5 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	119 km	5 km
Jan 4, 2021	5 km N of Tyndall, South Dakota	M3.1	88 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	30 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	100 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	86 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2020	2 km E of Chambers, Nebraska	M2.8	132 km	10 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	95 km	5 km
Apr 27, 2025	9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota	M2.5	35 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2022	9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota	M2.5	55 km	5 km
Mar 6, 2024	6 km SSE of Santee, Nebraska	M2.5	107 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

379 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 1 fatality, 88 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	83 km	30.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 2014	EF4	81 km	11.5 mi	0
May 29, 1962	EF4	85 km	24.2 mi	0
May 5, 2007	EF3	47 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	80 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 9, 2003	EF3	95 km	23.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	88 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 24, 1971	EF3	57 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	98 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	77 km	9.9 mi	0
Jun 26, 1965	EF3	95 km	35.6 mi	0
Jun 21, 1965	EF3	99 km	15.4 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	46 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 5, 1962	EF3	96 km	9.5 mi	0
May 21, 1962	EF3	74 km	1.0 mi	0
May 21, 1962	EF3	58 km	11.0 mi	0
May 16, 1962	EF3	36 km	0.1 mi	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	50 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	38 km	70.4 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

9 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: UNNAMED (6,910 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	UNNAMED	6,910	91 km
2022	HOLIDAY	2,936	92 km
2012	UNNAMED	2,875	81 km
2000	GANN VALLEY	2,534	90 km
2000	NOVOTNY AND WAGNER	1,968	86 km
2012	KAYLKOWSKI	1,966	71 km
2011	HIGHWAY 47	1,800	87 km
2005	CHAOS	1,539	92 km
2023	SDLDR-HFR-FY23-RX-BROKEN ARROW UNITS B-C-D-E-G-H-I	1,185	15 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	25°F (-4°C)	0.6 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.6 in
April	48°F (9°C)	2.6 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.6 in	Wettest
June	69°F (21°C)	3.6 in
July	74°F (23°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	2.2 in
September	64°F (18°C)	2.3 in
October	51°F (10°C)	1.7 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.9 in
December	23°F (-5°C)	0.5 in

Platte has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.9 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.6") and January the driest (0.4").

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