Weather & Climate in Quinn, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Quinn experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 74°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 17.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.2 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 2,612 feet.
Temperature
21°F Jan (-6°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 46.1°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 21°F (-6°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 302 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,612 ft (796 m) |
| Area | 1.2 sq mi (3.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 63/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.9866°N, 102.1263°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Oglala Lakota County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rapid City Regional (RAP) 46 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
25 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 | 81 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 104 km | 5 km |
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 148 km | 15 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 97 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2021 | 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.4 | 148 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 145 km | 5 km |
| Aug 5, 2022 | 4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota | M3.2 | 131 km | 9 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 37 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 95 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 89 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 144 km | 10 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 103 km | 8 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 112 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 41 km | 9 km |
| Mar 18, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 128 km | 5 km |
| Sep 5, 1993 | 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota | M2.7 | 141 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
171 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 35 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 11, 1991 | EF3 | 91 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1963 | EF3 | 97 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1956 | EF3 | 63 km | 28.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 12, 2022 | EF2 | 96 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2016 | EF2 | 91 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2015 | EF2 | 85 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 60 km | 22.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2003 | EF2 | 96 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 30 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1992 | EF2 | 37 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1982 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 72 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| May 19, 1974 | EF2 | 97 km | 5.6 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1972 | EF2 | 100 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1967 | EF2 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1966 | EF2 | 95 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 1964 | EF2 | 43 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1964 | EF2 | 39 km | 14.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 1960 | EF2 | 98 km | 13.6 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 | 23 km |
| 2006 | WHITE OWL | 20,022 | 69 km |
| 1985 | YELLOWBEAR | 19,212 | 73 km |
| 2016 | FREEMAN | 19,121 | 97 km |
| 2002 | BATTLE CREEK | 15,034 | 99 km |
| 1987 | GRASS CK3 | 11,125 | 88 km |
| 2000 | DECKER | 10,883 | 77 km |
| 2000 | GENO H. | 10,423 | 90 km |
| 2000 | PEPPER CREEK | 8,915 | 96 km |
| 2002 | WANNA | 7,699 | 97 km |
| 2002 | COTTONWOOD | 6,696 | 73 km |
| 2022 | TURKEY DAY | 5,998 | 78 km |
| 1985 | WHITEBUTTE | 5,685 | 86 km |
| 2006 | RED WATER | 5,407 | 54 km |
| 1992 | WHITERIVER | 5,150 | 88 km |
| 2017 | WANBLEE TIMBER | 4,982 | 63 km |
| 2003 | PAPA | 4,746 | 68 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 100 km |
| 1985 | GAME RANGE | 4,059 | 69 km |
| 1999 | BIG BUFFALO CREEK | 3,981 | 25 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 1.1 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 1.7 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.9 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.0 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.3 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.2 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.4 in |
Quinn has a seasonal temperature swing of 53°F / from 21°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.6 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.3").
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