Weather & Climate in Rosebud, SD

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

Rosebud experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 23°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 20.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.5 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 2,841 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.5°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,841 ft (866 m)
Area	13.0 sq mi (33.6 km²)
Population Density	132/sq mi
Coordinates	43.2387°N, 100.8150°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Todd County County
Nearest Airport	Ainsworth Regional (ANW) 62 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.9"

45% below US avg

Snowfall 41.5"

Wettest Month (May) 3.23"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	36.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	97.7 / 100
Community Resilience	0.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	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: M4.0.

Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	137 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	81 km	5 km
Oct 18, 2012	28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska	M3.6	147 km	5 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	122 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	87 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	126 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	62 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	137 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	82 km	9 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	107 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	69 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	42 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	147 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	111 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	129 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	136 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	117 km	9 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	91 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	79 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	143 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

222 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 18 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	93 km	30.1 mi	0
Aug 11, 2011	EF3	90 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 6, 1963	EF3	91 km	24.4 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	42 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	83 km	53.8 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	74 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	78 km	3.9 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	39 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	78 km	2.9 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	80 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	46 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	62 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	78 km	5.0 mi	0
Mar 29, 1982	EF2	92 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	13 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	73 km	15.9 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	37 km	20.9 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	15 km	18.5 mi	0
Jul 8, 1973	EF2	2 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 27, 1972	EF2	90 km	1.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	76 km
2000	POWDER HORN	48,608	70 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	23 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	18 km
2000	VAL COMP	15,513	85 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	49 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	27 km
2000	HASNOHORSE	13,420	98 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	56 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	9 km
1990	GOOSECREEK	8,408	93 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	77 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	45 km
2021	HACKBERRY SOUTH RX	6,463	78 km
2000	PONY	5,982	90 km
2000	UNNAMED	5,014	71 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	72 km
2003	PAPA	4,746	96 km
1998	TNC	4,683	65 km
1991	YELLOWROBE	4,679	16 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
March	35°F (1°C)	1.3 in
April	46°F (8°C)	2.0 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
June	67°F (20°C)	3.2 in
July	74°F (23°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	1.9 in
September	62°F (17°C)	1.6 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in

Rosebud has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 23°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.1 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.3").

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