Weather & Climate in Smithwick, SD

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

Smithwick experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 24°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 17.9 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 43.8 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 3,249 feet.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.6°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	24°F (-4°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	3,249 ft (990 m)
Area	1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density	11/sq mi
Coordinates	43.2976°N, 103.2163°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Fall River County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 52 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.9"

53% below US avg

Snowfall 43.8"

Wettest Month (May) 2.91"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	30.9 / 100
Social Vulnerability	92.2 / 100
Community Resilience	74.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

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

May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	118 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	58 km	5 km
Apr 9, 1996	34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.7	76 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	87 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	43 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	58 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	40 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	58 km	5 km
May 3, 1996	32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.1	71 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	97 km	5 km
Jun 18, 1998	23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska	M3.1	77 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	75 km	10 km
Nov 2, 1992	5 km ESE of Lusk, Wyoming	M3.0	114 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	28 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	28 km	8 km
Mar 10, 2011	22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming	M2.9	86 km	5 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	26 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	71 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	5 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	92 km	9 km

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

Tornado History

202 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 83 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 4, 1994	EF3	89 km	12.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	85 km	28.3 mi	0
Jul 2, 2020	EF2	94 km	3.4 mi	0
Jul 26, 2016	EF2	91 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	63 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 22, 2012	EF2	54 km	16.7 mi	0
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	41 km	15.0 mi	1
Jun 4, 1999	EF2	38 km	4.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 17, 1983	EF2	16 km	0.2 mi	0
Jun 19, 1983	EF2	14 km	22.0 mi	0
Jun 5, 1982	EF2	62 km	7.0 mi	0
Jun 4, 1982	EF2	87 km	0.8 mi	0
May 23, 1982	EF2	94 km	0.3 mi	0
Jun 25, 1978	EF2	90 km	11.1 mi	0
Jul 28, 1976	EF2	59 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 14, 1969	EF2	16 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1967	EF2	86 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1966	EF2	78 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 22, 1966	EF2	43 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: JASPER (82,298 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	JASPER	82,298	78 km
2012	WELLNITZ	77,277	56 km
2012	WEST ASH	55,228	68 km
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	44 km
1989	FT.ROBINSON	46,887	75 km
2006	SIOUX COUNTY COMPLEX	39,567	79 km
2012	DOUTHIT	29,036	64 km
2006	DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX	27,923	67 km
2007	STAMPEDE	22,848	51 km
1985	FLINT HILLS	21,062	36 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	88 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	21 km
1985	4TH OFJULY	18,177	51 km
2003	RED POINT	18,057	77 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	18 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	56 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	70 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	50 km
2016	INDIAN CANYON	13,791	46 km
2001	ELK MOUNTAIN 2	13,758	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.5 in
March	37°F (3°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
June	67°F (19°C)	2.9 in
July	74°F (23°C)	2.4 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.6 in
September	62°F (16°C)	1.3 in
October	49°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Smithwick has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 24°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with May being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.4").

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