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Weather & Climate in Rockham, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Rockham has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°F in January while summers reach 72°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 22.8 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 1,399 feet.
Temperature
13°F Jan (-11°C)
72°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 44.0°F |
| 19% below US avg | |
| January Average | 13°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 72°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,399 ft (426 m) |
| Area | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 54/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.9043°N, 98.8234°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Spink County County |
| Nearest Airport | Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 42 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 17.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 10.6 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 61.7 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Very Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
8 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 138 km | 15 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 139 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 77 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 146 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 114 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 131 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
361 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 55 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 94 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF4 | 92 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 53 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 86 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF3 | 93 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1996 | EF3 | 68 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 33 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 86 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 46 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 78 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1969 | EF3 | 84 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1961 | EF3 | 78 km | 156.3 mi | 1 |
| Jun 9, 1957 | EF3 | 28 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | EF2 | 25 km | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 4, 2020 | EF2 | 85 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 94 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 95 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 97 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 72 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF2 | 83 km | 7.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HOLIDAY (2,936 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 94 km |
| 2022 | ROHRBACH | 2,887 | 70 km |
| 2000 | GANN VALLEY | 2,534 | 80 km |
| 2004 | TACOMA PARK PLACE | 1,336 | 82 km |
| 2000 | PHEASANT OPENER | 1,206 | 87 km |
| 2005 | N HYDE | 1,204 | 53 km |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 68 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13°F (-11°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 31°F (-1°C) | 1.4 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.2 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.2 in | Wettest |
| July | 72°F (22°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 71°F (22°C) | 2.4 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 30°F (-1°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
Rockham has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and December the driest (0.4").