Weather & Climate in Wanblee, SD

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

Wanblee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 77°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 19.6 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 38.0 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 2,630 feet.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)

Annual Average	50.4°F
	7% below US avg
January Average	26°F (-4°C)
July Average	77°F (25°C)
Sunny Days	302 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,630 ft (802 m)
Area	2.2 sq mi (5.6 km²)
Population Density	370/sq mi
Coordinates	43.5714°N, 101.6609°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Jackson County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 77 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 19.6"

48% below US avg

Snowfall 38.0"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.27"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.28"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	10.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	99.7 / 100
Community Resilience	0.4 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very 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 Moderate
Drought	Relatively Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Low
Landslide	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

20 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	55 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	74 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	132 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	136 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	133 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	133 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	74 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	103 km	9 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	90 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	84 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	44 km	5 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	108 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	129 km	8 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	125 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	41 km	9 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	150 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	103 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	71 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	62 km	11 km
Jan 24, 2004	8 km WSW of Green Valley, South Dakota	M2.5	132 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

204 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 21 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 6, 1963	EF3	54 km	24.4 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	84 km	0.1 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	45 km	28.3 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	68 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	78 km	3.9 mi	0
Jul 26, 2016	EF2	99 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	40 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	88 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	51 km	2.0 mi	0
Mar 29, 1982	EF2	50 km	0.2 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	76 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 25, 1978	EF2	85 km	11.1 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	73 km	15.9 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	91 km	20.9 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	77 km	18.5 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	82 km	2.7 mi	0
Jul 8, 1973	EF2	76 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1971	EF2	87 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 4, 1971	EF2	96 km	0.3 mi	0
Jul 26, 1964	EF2	53 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: COTTONWOOD CA (41,775 acres, 2016).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	41 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	64 km
2007	STAMPEDE	22,848	98 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	46 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	63 km
1985	4TH OFJULY	18,177	97 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	69 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	93 km
2000	HASNOHORSE	13,420	70 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	82 km
2000	DECKER	10,883	51 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	72 km
2000	PEPPER CREEK	8,915	84 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	75 km
2002	WANNA	7,699	97 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	97 km
2002	COTTONWOOD	6,696	59 km
1985	CALICO	6,475	91 km
2022	TURKEY DAY	5,998	76 km
1985	WHITEBUTTE	5,685	71 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	26°F (-4°C)	0.3 in	Driest
February	28°F (-2°C)	0.4 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.2 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.0 in
May	58°F (14°C)	2.8 in
June	68°F (20°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
July	77°F (25°C)	2.6 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.7 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.3 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.1 in
November	35°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	25°F (-4°C)	0.4 in	Coldest

Wanblee has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 25°F in December to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.3").

View full profile of Wanblee, SD →