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Weather & Climate in Porcupine, SD

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

Porcupine experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 261 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 3,287 feet.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average48.3°F
11% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days261 days/yr

Geography

Elevation3,287 ft (1,002 m)
Area9.5 sq mi (24.7 km²)
Population Density57/sq mi
Coordinates43.2685°N, 102.3353°W
TimezoneAmerica/Chicago
CountyOglala Lakota County County
Nearest AirportRapid City Regional (RAP)
65 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.07"
Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median35.0
RatingGood

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score49.8 / 100
Social Vulnerability99.7 / 100
Community Resilience0.1 / 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

28 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 15 km 5 km
May 25, 2003 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota M4.0 48 km 5 km
Apr 9, 1996 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota M3.7 145 km 5 km
Feb 6, 1996 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota M3.7 137 km 5 km
Oct 18, 2012 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska M3.6 122 km 5 km
Mar 9, 2025 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota M3.6 90 km 5 km
Dec 12, 2013 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota M3.5 100 km 5 km
Mar 26, 2021 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota M3.4 111 km 5 km
Mar 2, 1990 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota M3.2 14 km 5 km
Jul 12, 1998 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota M3.1 104 km 5 km
Jun 18, 1998 23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska M3.1 90 km 5 km
Feb 20, 1993 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska M3.1 86 km 5 km
Feb 7, 2007 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota M3.1 87 km 5 km
May 3, 1996 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota M3.1 139 km 5 km
Jun 29, 2024 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming M3.0 137 km 10 km
Jan 16, 2012 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M3.0 59 km 5 km
Jun 16, 2024 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota M2.9 81 km 8 km
Mar 10, 2011 22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming M2.9 149 km 5 km
Mar 18, 1994 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota M2.8 95 km 5 km
Jul 17, 2016 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota M2.8 67 km 5 km
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.

Tornado History

207 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 85 km 12.0 mi 0
May 5, 1993 EF3 92 km 13.0 mi 0
Jun 6, 1963 EF3 36 km 24.4 mi 0
Aug 6, 1956 EF3 21 km 28.3 mi 0
Jul 26, 2016 EF2 51 km 1.0 mi 0
Jun 13, 2016 EF2 99 km 7.4 mi 0
Jul 3, 2003 EF2 61 km 3.0 mi 0
Jun 4, 1999 EF2 48 km 15.0 mi 1
Jun 4, 1999 EF2 38 km 4.0 mi 0
Jun 7, 1994 EF2 95 km 10.0 mi 0
Aug 17, 1983 EF2 60 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 19, 1983 EF2 73 km 22.0 mi 0
Jun 4, 1982 EF2 98 km 0.8 mi 0
May 23, 1982 EF2 85 km 0.3 mi 0
Mar 29, 1982 EF2 33 km 0.2 mi 0
Jun 25, 1978 EF2 39 km 11.1 mi 0
Jul 10, 1977 EF2 71 km 15.9 mi 0
Jul 27, 1972 EF2 97 km 1.0 mi 0
Jul 14, 1969 EF2 85 km 0.1 mi 0
Jun 22, 1966 EF2 86 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 42 km
2012 WEST ASH 55,228 94 km
2017 LEGION LAKE 54,868 96 km
2016 COTTONWOOD CA 41,775 80 km
2006 DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX 27,923 86 km
2007 STAMPEDE 22,848 34 km
1985 YELLOWBEAR 19,212 18 km
2016 FREEMAN 19,121 52 km
1985 4TH OFJULY 18,177 33 km
2012 HAY CANYON 17,815 54 km
2000 HASNOHORSE 13,420 43 km
2022 CASINO 11,583 48 km
1987 GRASS CK3 11,125 21 km
2000 DECKER 10,883 14 km
2000 PEPPER CREEK 8,915 20 km
1985 SEVEN SISTERS 8,465 93 km
2000 FLAGPOLE MOUNTAIN 7,703 96 km
2002 WANNA 7,699 36 km
1991 SHIRTTAIL 6,828 100 km
2002 COTTONWOOD 6,696 9 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 25°F (-4°C) 0.3 in Driest
February 28°F (-2°C) 0.4 in
March 36°F (2°C) 0.8 in
April 46°F (8°C) 1.7 in
May 57°F (14°C) 2.9 in
June 66°F (19°C) 3.1 in Wettest
July 74°F (23°C) 2.6 in Warmest
August 72°F (22°C) 1.5 in
September 62°F (16°C) 1.2 in
October 49°F (9°C) 1.0 in
November 34°F (1°C) 0.4 in
December 25°F (-4°C) 0.4 in Coldest

Porcupine has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 25°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.3").

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