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Weather & Climate in Watertown, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Watertown has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 12°F in January while summers reach 71°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 22.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.1 inches of snow annually, making winter weather a significant factor for residents. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 1,751 feet.
Temperature
12°F Jan (-11°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 43.0°F |
| 20% below US avg | |
| January Average | 12°F (-11°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,751 ft (534 m) |
| Area | 25.0 sq mi (64.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,240/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.9092°N, 97.1557°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Codington County County |
| Nearest Airport | Watertown Regional (ATY) 0 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 61.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 74.8 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Moderate |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively 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 | 109 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 104 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990-2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
413 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 2 fatalities, 50 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 85 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1955 | EF4 | 89 km | 30.0 mi | 1 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF3 | 29 km | 13.3 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 92 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF3 | 54 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 97 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 62 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 45 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1983 | EF3 | 2 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 15, 1970 | EF3 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1969 | EF3 | 94 km | 1.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 36 km | 12.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 57 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 24 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 45 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF2 | 100 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 23, 2004 | EF2 | 94 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF2 | 67 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF2 | 79 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 17, 1996 | EF2 | 84 km | 5.0 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 | 80 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 94 km |
| 2004 | FISH FIRE | 1,799 | 75 km |
| 2005 | GRAND MEWS | 1,245 | 73 km |
| 2000 | PHEASANT OPENER | 1,206 | 73 km |
| 1998 | LEE | 1,137 | 71 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,115 | 72 km |
| 2003 | ANDERSON | 1,082 | 74 km |
| 1998 | ANDREASEN | 1,001 | 75 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 58 km |
| 1990 | ANDERSON | 988 | 73 km |
| 2007 | ANDERSON | 797 | 74 km |
| 2006 | ANDERSON | 764 | 73 km |
| 1986 | ANDERSON | 746 | 74 km |
| 2000 | FISH | 720 | 75 km |
| 2007 | LEE | 689 | 71 km |
| 2006 | MOSQUITO RANCH | 656 | 86 km |
| 2003 | LEE | 560 | 70 km |
| 1994 | ARTICHOKE | 556 | 95 km |
| 2002 | ARTICHOKE | 548 | 95 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12°F (-11°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 29°F (-1°C) | 1.3 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 2.0 in | |
| May | 57°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 67°F (19°C) | 3.9 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.0 in | Warmest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 2.8 in | |
| September | 59°F (15°C) | 2.1 in | |
| October | 46°F (8°C) | 1.9 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.9 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Driest |
Watertown has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 12°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 22.1 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.9") and December the driest (0.4").