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Weather & Climate in Rapid City, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rapid City experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 73°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 20.0 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 53.7 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 3,389 feet.
Temperature
26°F Jan (-3°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.0°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 26°F (-3°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,389 ft (1,033 m) |
| Area | 0.1 sq mi (0.2 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,373/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.0711°N, 103.2179°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Lawrence County County |
| Nearest Airport | Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 8 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.3 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.5 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 54.0 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
22 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.2.
| Sep 25, 2009 | 15 km E of Alzada, Montana | M4.2 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 1996 | 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.7 | 132 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 42 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 44 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 29 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2021 | 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.4 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 103 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 51 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.1 | 131 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 64 km | 10 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 67 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 58 km | 8 km |
| Mar 18, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Jan 5, 2004 | 28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M2.8 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 85 km | 5 km |
| Apr 4, 2024 | 19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota | M2.8 | 98 km | 9 km |
| Sep 5, 1993 | 4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota | M2.7 | 59 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2021 | 15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota | M2.6 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Jun 8, 2025 | 19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota | M2.6 | 51 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
175 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 41 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 29, 1993 | EF3 | 74 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF3 | 14 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1975 | EF3 | 92 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1965 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1965 | EF3 | 85 km | 20.8 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 74 km | 2.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 6, 2020 | EF2 | 71 km | 5.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 2016 | EF2 | 23 km | 7.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 2015 | EF2 | 42 km | 19.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1994 | EF2 | 62 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 12, 1993 | EF2 | 45 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 11, 1991 | EF2 | 12 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1985 | EF2 | 93 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1983 | EF2 | 98 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 28, 1972 | EF2 | 67 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 26, 1972 | EF2 | 79 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1972 | EF2 | 93 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 23, 1969 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1969 | EF2 | 79 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF2 | 58 km | 13.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: JASPER (82,298 acres, 2000).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2000 | JASPER | 82,298 | 60 km |
| 2012 | OIL CREEK | 63,182 | 87 km |
| 2017 | LEGION LAKE | 54,868 | 47 km |
| 1985 | FLINT HILLS | 21,062 | 88 km |
| 2006 | WHITE OWL | 20,022 | 93 km |
| 2016 | FREEMAN | 19,121 | 82 km |
| 2003 | RED POINT | 18,057 | 83 km |
| 2012 | HAY CANYON | 17,815 | 87 km |
| 1988 | GALENA | 16,936 | 36 km |
| 2002 | BATTLE CREEK | 15,034 | 21 km |
| 1990 | SWEDLUND | 14,673 | 49 km |
| 2001 | ELK MOUNTAIN 2 | 13,758 | 78 km |
| 2001 | ROGERS SHACK | 11,794 | 69 km |
| 2002 | GRIZZLY GULCH | 11,487 | 49 km |
| 2001 | WEST HELL CANYON | 11,097 | 86 km |
| 2007 | ALABAUGH | 10,650 | 84 km |
| 2012 | WHITE DRAW | 9,297 | 87 km |
| 1985 | SEVEN SISTERS | 8,465 | 81 km |
| 2000 | FLAGPOLE MOUNTAIN | 7,703 | 88 km |
| 2002 | WANNA | 7,699 | 98 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 35°F (2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| June | 65°F (18°C) | 3.1 in | |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.4 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 60°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.6 in | |
| December | 27°F (-3°C) | 0.4 in |
Rapid City has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 26°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.0 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").