Weather & Climate in Waubay, SD

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

Waubay 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 1,843 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	1,843 ft (562 m)
Area	1.5 sq mi (3.8 km²)
Population Density	291/sq mi
Coordinates	45.3345°N, 97.3055°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Day County County
Nearest Airport	Watertown Regional (ATY) 30 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 22.5"

41% below US avg

Snowfall 35.6"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.39"

Driest Month (Dec) 0.39"

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	88 km	10 km
Oct 20, 1995	8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota	M3.7	61 km	5 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	130 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

405 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 4 fatalities, 67 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 23, 2002	EF4	96 km	9.0 mi	0
May 30, 2022	EF3	71 km	13.3 mi	0
May 31, 1996	EF3	93 km	32.0 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF3	59 km	18.0 mi	0
May 12, 1984	EF3	61 km	27.0 mi	0
Jul 18, 1983	EF3	50 km	0.5 mi	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	94 km	0.3 mi	1
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	88 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 1, 1973	EF3	86 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 25, 1969	EF3	62 km	1.5 mi	0
May 5, 1964	EF3	97 km	5.2 mi	0
Jun 21, 1961	EF3	74 km	156.3 mi	1
Jul 1, 1952	EF3	86 km	0.5 mi	0
May 30, 2022	EF2	82 km	12.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	91 km	0.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	92 km	0.4 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	100 km	9.8 mi	0
May 12, 2022	EF2	72 km	2.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 2011	EF2	100 km	26.0 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	98 km	1.3 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	85 km
2004	FISH FIRE	1,799	79 km
2003	DANIELSON	1,682	63 km
2004	TACOMA PARK PLACE	1,336	77 km
2005	GRAND MEWS	1,245	76 km
2016	SLR 2016 RX MICHELL	1,242	93 km
2000	PHEASANT OPENER	1,206	45 km
1998	LEE	1,137	74 km
2016	UNNAMED	1,128	91 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,115	74 km
2003	ANDERSON	1,082	78 km
2019	UNNAMED	1,060	91 km
2021	HARTLEBEN WPA	1,002	88 km
1998	ANDREASEN	1,001	78 km
1992	SPRING LK	1,001	9 km
1990	ANDERSON	988	76 km
2007	ANDERSON	797	78 km
2006	ANDERSON	764	75 km
1986	ANDERSON	746	78 km
2000	FISH	720	77 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	13°F (-11°C)	0.5 in	Coldest
February	16°F (-9°C)	0.5 in
March	28°F (-2°C)	1.2 in
April	43°F (6°C)	1.9 in
May	57°F (14°C)	2.9 in
June	66°F (19°C)	3.4 in	Wettest
July	72°F (22°C)	3.2 in	Warmest
August	69°F (21°C)	2.8 in
September	59°F (15°C)	1.9 in
October	46°F (8°C)	1.5 in
November	28°F (-2°C)	0.7 in
December	15°F (-10°C)	0.4 in	Driest

Waubay has a seasonal temperature swing of 59°F / from 13°F in January to 72°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.8 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.4") and December the driest (0.4").

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