Weather & Climate in Vale, SD

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

Vale experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 311 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 16.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 39.8 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 2,772 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	45.7°F
	15% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,772 ft (845 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.9 km²)
Population Density	60/sq mi
Coordinates	44.6183°N, 103.3987°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Butte County County
Nearest Airport	Ellsworth Afb (RCA) 36 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 16.7"

56% below US avg

Snowfall 39.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.74"

Driest Month (Jan) 1.38"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	23.3 / 100
Social Vulnerability	36.1 / 100
Community Resilience	27.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
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

Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

19 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	78 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	76 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	105 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	89 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	148 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	92 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	103 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	130 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	119 km	8 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	136 km	5 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	123 km	5 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	147 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	148 km	9 km
Sep 5, 1993	4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota	M2.7	40 km	5 km
Jul 29, 2013	18 km SE of Ekalaka, Montana	M2.6	149 km	8 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	79 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	117 km	5 km
Nov 5, 1991	1 km ESE of Lead, South Dakota	M2.5	41 km	0 km
Jan 24, 2004	8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota	M2.5	71 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

153 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 44 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 7, 1969	EF4	79 km	1.8 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF3	59 km	3.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF3	49 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1975	EF3	87 km	11.5 mi	0
Jul 18, 1965	EF3	12 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 12, 1965	EF3	79 km	20.8 mi	0
Jul 18, 1963	EF3	40 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 2, 2024	EF2	91 km	4.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	66 km	2.1 mi	0
Jul 6, 2020	EF2	64 km	5.1 mi	0
Jun 28, 2018	EF2	98 km	2.3 mi	0
Jun 28, 2018	EF2	100 km	6.6 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	85 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	38 km	19.7 mi	0
Jun 13, 2014	EF2	94 km	16.5 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	82 km	9.4 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	94 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	27 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	51 km	1.0 mi	0
May 10, 1985	EF2	93 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: JASPER (82,298 acres, 2000).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2000	JASPER	82,298	97 km
2012	OIL CREEK	63,182	100 km
2006	WHITE OWL	20,022	86 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	93 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	78 km
2015	SHEEP DRAW	13,837	92 km
2002	GRIZZLY GULCH	11,487	38 km
2022	FISH	7,045	79 km
1988	SHORT PINES	5,516	95 km
2004	BASIN DRAW	4,655	69 km
2008	BASELINE BUGS PB	4,315	75 km
1988	WESTBERRY TRAIL	3,944	61 km
1992	HERMOSA FIRE	3,905	84 km
2000	LICKINY	3,802	47 km
1985	LANTZ	3,737	70 km
2005	RICCO	3,553	45 km
2006	EAST RIDGE	3,370	45 km
2005	CEMENT	3,032	69 km
2016	CROW PEAK	2,848	48 km
2001	LEMON BUTTE	2,556	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	1.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	1.5 in
March	35°F (2°C)	2.5 in
April	46°F (8°C)	3.2 in
May	56°F (14°C)	3.7 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.7 in	Wettest
July	73°F (23°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	72°F (22°C)	2.6 in
September	61°F (16°C)	2.3 in
October	48°F (9°C)	2.0 in
November	34°F (1°C)	1.8 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	1.7 in

Vale has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 21°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 29.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.7") and January the driest (1.4").

View full profile of Vale, SD →