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Weather & Climate in Wessington, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wessington has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 73°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 25.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.5 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 1,414 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.4°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,414 ft (431 m) |
| Area | 0.4 sq mi (1.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 505/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.4551°N, 98.6968°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Beadle County County |
| Nearest Airport | Huron Regional (HON) 24 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 47.1 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 26.8 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 51.4 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Relatively Moderate |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Relatively Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Relatively Moderate |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
9 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.7.
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 149 km | 15 km |
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 76 km | 5 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 134 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 39 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 100 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 80 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
376 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 3 fatalities, 78 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 52 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 76 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 89 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 7 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 54 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 58 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 23 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 74 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 90 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 90 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF3 | 91 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 83 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 98 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 47 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 97 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1957 | EF3 | 73 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | EF2 | 36 km | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 44 km | 2.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 49 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 44 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
7 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HOLIDAY (2,936 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 60 km |
| 2000 | GANN VALLEY | 2,534 | 34 km |
| 2011 | HIGHWAY 47 | 1,800 | 81 km |
| 2005 | CHAOS | 1,539 | 69 km |
| 2000 | BAD HORSE | 1,215 | 98 km |
| 2005 | N HYDE | 1,204 | 66 km |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 26 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 21°F (-6°C) | 0.6 in | |
| March | 32°F (-0°C) | 1.6 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.3 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 3.2 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.2 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 32°F (-0°C) | 0.7 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in |
Wessington has a seasonal temperature swing of 57°F / from 16°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.5 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").