Weather & Climate in Wallace, SD

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

Wallace has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 13°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 22.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.6 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 1,780 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	44.1°F
	18% below US avg
January Average	13°F (-11°C)
July Average	72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,780 ft (543 m)
Area	0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density	515/sq mi
Coordinates	45.0845°N, 97.4781°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Day County County
Nearest Airport	Watertown Regional (ATY) 20 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.5"

41% below US avg

Snowfall 35.6"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.58"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.43"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	27.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	74.7 / 100
Community Resilience	84.5 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Relatively Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Moderate
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
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: M4.1.

Jun 5, 1993	11 km N of Johnson, Minnesota	M4.1	113 km	10 km
Oct 20, 1995	8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota	M3.7	92 km	5 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	99 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

428 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 5 fatalities, 61 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 24, 2003	EF4	92 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 2002	EF4	100 km	9.0 mi	0
May 30, 2022	EF3	61 km	13.3 mi	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF3	91 km	3.5 mi	0
May 31, 1996	EF3	89 km	32.0 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF3	71 km	18.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	85 km	4.0 mi	0
May 12, 1984	EF3	30 km	27.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1983	EF3	32 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	82 km	0.3 mi	1
Jun 25, 1969	EF3	62 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 21, 1961	EF3	73 km	156.3 mi	1
May 30, 2022	EF2	68 km	12.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	87 km	0.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	76 km	0.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	54 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 2005	EF2	97 km	8.0 mi	0
Sep 23, 2004	EF2	90 km	2.2 mi	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF2	75 km	2.2 mi	0
Jun 24, 2003	EF2	80 km	2.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2004	LOUISBURGRADE	6,487	99 km
2004	FISH FIRE	1,799	93 km
2003	DANIELSON	1,682	93 km
2004	TACOMA PARK PLACE	1,336	78 km
2005	GRAND MEWS	1,245	90 km
2000	PHEASANT OPENER	1,206	42 km
1998	LEE	1,137	88 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,115	89 km
2003	ANDERSON	1,082	92 km
1998	ANDREASEN	1,001	93 km
1992	SPRING LK	1,001	40 km
1990	ANDERSON	988	90 km
2007	ANDERSON	797	92 km
2006	ANDERSON	764	90 km
1986	ANDERSON	746	92 km
2000	FISH	720	92 km
2007	LEE	689	88 km
2006	MOSQUITO RANCH	656	84 km
2003	LEE	560	87 km
1997	ROBIN HOOD	542	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	13°F (-11°C)	0.6 in	Coldest
February	17°F (-8°C)	0.6 in
March	29°F (-2°C)	1.2 in
April	44°F (7°C)	1.9 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.8 in
June	67°F (19°C)	3.6 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	3.1 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	2.8 in
September	59°F (15°C)	2.0 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.6 in
November	29°F (-2°C)	0.9 in
December	16°F (-9°C)	0.4 in	Driest

Wallace has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and December the driest (0.4").

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