Weather & Climate in Wasta, SD

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

Wasta experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 22°F in January while summers reach 75°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 17.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 30.4 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 2,321 feet.

Temperature

22°F Jan (-5°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	47.8°F
	11% below US avg
January Average	22°F (-5°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	311 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,321 ft (707 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density	405/sq mi
Coordinates	44.0695°N, 102.4464°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Pennington County County
Nearest Airport	Rapid City Regional (RAP) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 17.7"

54% below US avg

Snowfall 30.4"

Wettest Month (Jun) 2.87"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	78.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability	34.6 / 100
Community Resilience	70.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Moderate
Flood	Relatively Moderate
Hail	Relatively High
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Relatively High
Ice Storm	Relatively High
Drought	Very Low
Cold Wave	Relatively Moderate
Landslide	Relatively Low
Avalanche	Very Low

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

Earthquake History

22 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	121 km	5 km
Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	84 km	5 km
Feb 6, 1996	13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota	M3.7	103 km	5 km
Mar 9, 2025	7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota	M3.6	81 km	5 km
Dec 12, 2013	10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota	M3.5	75 km	5 km
Mar 26, 2021	10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota	M3.4	132 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	86 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2007	11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota	M3.1	11 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	122 km	5 km
Jun 29, 2024	22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M3.0	121 km	10 km
Jan 16, 2012	25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M3.0	78 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2024	7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota	M2.9	87 km	8 km
Jul 17, 2016	15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota	M2.8	102 km	5 km
Mar 18, 1994	4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota	M2.8	113 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	55 km	9 km
Jan 5, 2004	28 km SSE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming	M2.8	135 km	5 km
Sep 5, 1993	4 km NNW of Central City, South Dakota	M2.7	114 km	5 km
Jun 8, 2025	19 km NW of Wasta, South Dakota	M2.6	19 km	5 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	29 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	130 km	11 km

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

Tornado History

160 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 43 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 11, 1991	EF3	63 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 6, 1956	EF3	75 km	28.3 mi	0
Jun 13, 2016	EF2	68 km	7.4 mi	0
Jun 19, 2015	EF2	59 km	19.7 mi	0
May 24, 2010	EF2	57 km	22.3 mi	0
Jun 7, 1994	EF2	6 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 12, 1993	EF2	95 km	2.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	62 km	2.0 mi	0
May 11, 1991	EF2	63 km	1.0 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	93 km	2.7 mi	0
May 26, 1972	EF2	85 km	1.5 mi	0
May 21, 1972	EF2	83 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 18, 1967	EF2	60 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 23, 1966	EF2	83 km	3.8 mi	0
Jun 22, 1966	EF2	76 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 11, 1965	EF2	91 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 26, 1964	EF2	68 km	0.1 mi	0
May 2, 1964	EF2	66 km	14.8 mi	0
Aug 31, 1959	EF2	57 km	0.1 mi	0
May 23, 2021	EF1	96 km	5.9 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LEGION LAKE (54,868 acres, 2017).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2017	LEGION LAKE	54,868	88 km
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	50 km
2006	WHITE OWL	20,022	59 km
1985	YELLOWBEAR	19,212	86 km
2016	FREEMAN	19,121	90 km
2012	HAY CANYON	17,815	96 km
1988	GALENA	16,936	83 km
2002	BATTLE CREEK	15,034	75 km
1990	SWEDLUND	14,673	95 km
1987	GRASS CK3	11,125	90 km
2000	DECKER	10,883	89 km
2000	PEPPER CREEK	8,915	99 km
2002	WANNA	7,699	95 km
2002	COTTONWOOD	6,696	81 km
2022	TURKEY DAY	5,998	79 km
1985	WHITEBUTTE	5,685	92 km
2006	RED WATER	5,407	69 km
1992	WHITERIVER	5,150	85 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	89 km
2003	PAPA	4,746	85 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	22°F (-5°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.4 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.0 in
April	46°F (8°C)	1.9 in
May	58°F (14°C)	2.7 in
June	67°F (20°C)	2.9 in	Wettest
July	75°F (24°C)	2.1 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.6 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.2 in
October	49°F (10°C)	1.2 in
November	34°F (1°C)	0.5 in
December	24°F (-5°C)	0.4 in

Wasta has a seasonal temperature swing of 52°F / from 22°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (2.9") and January the driest (0.3").

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