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Weather & Climate in Sunset Colony, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Sunset Colony has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 42°F (6°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 70°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 24.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 45.4 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 1,314 feet.
Temperature
10°F Jan (-12°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 42.3°F |
| 22% below US avg | |
| January Average | 10°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,314 ft (401 m) |
| Area | 1.0 sq mi (2.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 63/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.8095°N, 97.8852°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Marshall County County |
| Nearest Airport | Aberdeen Regional (ABR) 36 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 14.5 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 35.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
2 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.1.
| Jun 5, 1993 | 11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota | M4.1 | 125 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 79 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
393 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 48 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF4 | 45 km | 9.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 2011 | EF3 | 95 km | 16.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 23, 2002 | EF3 | 58 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 31, 1996 | EF3 | 60 km | 32.0 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1974 | EF3 | 92 km | 17.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 79 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 26 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 65 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1969 | EF3 | 43 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1965 | EF3 | 48 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1961 | EF3 | 46 km | 156.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 78 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 4, 2020 | EF2 | 73 km | 2.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 2011 | EF2 | 34 km | 26.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 2010 | EF2 | 72 km | 9.1 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 34 km | 1.3 mi | 0 |
| May 22, 2010 | EF2 | 92 km | 18.6 mi | 0 |
| Jul 15, 2007 | EF2 | 87 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 29, 2005 | EF2 | 26 km | 8.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2004 | EF2 | 90 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
12 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: BIESTERFELD (3,481 acres, 2021).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2021 | BIESTERFELD | 3,481 | 75 km |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 58 km |
| 2004 | TACOMA PARK PLACE | 1,336 | 43 km |
| 2003 | OLERUD | 1,275 | 84 km |
| 2016 | SLR 2016 RX MICHELL | 1,242 | 26 km |
| 2000 | PHEASANT OPENER | 1,206 | 54 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 79 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 79 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 78 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 62 km |
| 2006 | MOSQUITO RANCH | 656 | 92 km |
| 1997 | ROBIN HOOD | 542 | 94 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 30°F (-1°C) | 1.0 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.9 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.5 in | Wettest |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.3 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 1.9 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.3 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 15°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
Sunset Colony has a seasonal temperature swing of 60°F / from 10°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.2 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.5") and December the driest (0.4").