Weather & Climate in Wakpala, SD

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

Wakpala has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 14°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 20.1 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 34.9 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 1,637 feet.

Temperature

14°F Jan (-10°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.3°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	14°F (-10°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,637 ft (499 m)
Area	7.2 sq mi (18.7 km²)
Population Density	361/sq mi
Coordinates	45.6594°N, 100.5355°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Campbell County County
Nearest Airport	Bismarck Municipal (BIS) 78 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.1"

47% below US avg

Snowfall 34.9"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.03"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	4.4 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	70.0 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Very Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very 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

3 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	108 km	15 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	148 km	5 km
Aug 15, 2017	8 km E of Agar, South Dakota	M3.0	102 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

210 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 4 fatalities, 38 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 29, 1953	EF5	89 km	14.8 mi	2
May 22, 2010	EF4	66 km	5.7 mi	0
Aug 24, 2006	EF3	67 km	14.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	35 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 21, 1983	EF3	97 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	29 km	8.8 mi	0
Jun 20, 1968	EF3	43 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 31, 1966	EF3	91 km	26.4 mi	2
Jul 1, 1955	EF3	82 km	1.3 mi	0
Aug 28, 2024	EF2	23 km	5.4 mi	0
Jun 16, 2010	EF2	91 km	0.4 mi	0
Jul 18, 2001	EF2	81 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 22, 1983	EF2	34 km	0.2 mi	0
Aug 19, 1974	EF2	100 km	0.1 mi	0
May 26, 1974	EF2	97 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1970	EF2	65 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 14, 1970	EF2	39 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 7, 1969	EF2	39 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 13, 1965	EF2	39 km	4.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1964	EF2	76 km	24.6 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2002	TENBROOK	30,588	71 km
2002	LAPLANTE	14,777	48 km
1991	UNNAMED	14,487	19 km
2006	STONE MAN CHURCH	10,389	57 km
2000	TRIBLE	9,718	23 km
2006	LUND	9,425	55 km
1988	UNNAMED	7,593	69 km
1999	BULLHEAD	5,606	44 km
2022	HWY31 AND 101ST WEST	4,879	72 km
2006	B WARD 1	3,325	53 km
2015	CANNON BALL	3,068	76 km
2022	ROHRBACH	2,887	91 km
2005	LITTLE BEND	2,789	97 km
2006	1804	2,778	20 km
2011	MOUND CITY	2,755	30 km
2012	MCINTOSH	2,653	74 km
2004	FISCHER	2,578	73 km
2023	LITTLE BEND RX	2,574	97 km
2012	CORNSTALK	2,561	40 km
2006	FOUR BEAR	2,179	64 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	14°F (-10°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	21°F (-6°C)	0.4 in
March	31°F (-0°C)	1.1 in
April	45°F (7°C)	2.1 in
May	58°F (14°C)	2.6 in
June	67°F (20°C)	3.0 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	2.1 in
August	72°F (22°C)	1.8 in	Warmest
September	61°F (16°C)	1.4 in
October	48°F (9°C)	1.1 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	0.5 in
December	18°F (-8°C)	0.5 in

Wakpala has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 14°F in January to 72°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 16.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.0") and January the driest (0.4").

View full profile of Wakpala, SD →