Weather & Climate in White River, SD

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

White River experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 21°F in January while summers reach 75°F in July. The area gets 291 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 21.7 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 49.1 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 2,138 feet.

Temperature

21°F Jan (-6°C) 75°F Jul (24°C)

Annual Average	47.4°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	21°F (-6°C)
July Average	75°F (24°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,138 ft (652 m)
Area	0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density	1,369/sq mi
Coordinates	43.5671°N, 100.7449°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Mellette County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 61 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 21.7"

43% below US avg

Snowfall 49.1"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.15"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.31"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Very Low
Risk Score	5.2 / 100
Social Vulnerability	87.8 / 100
Community Resilience	0.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Very Low
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Very Low
Hail	Very Low
Strong Wind	Relatively Low
Heat Wave	Very Low
Winter Weather	Relatively Low
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Low
Drought	Very 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.

Jan 28, 1990	8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M4.0	145 km	5 km
May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	100 km	5 km
May 30, 2024	38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota	M3.7	125 km	15 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	116 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	90 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	94 km	5 km
Mar 2, 1990	7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota	M3.2	145 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	46 km	9 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	142 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	30 km	5 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	100 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	147 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	135 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	148 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	115 km	9 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	111 km	5 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	107 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	101 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	125 km	5 km
Apr 27, 2025	9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota	M2.5	128 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

238 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 22 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	93 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	97 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	77 km	0.1 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	40 km	0.5 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	42 km	3.9 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	65 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	97 km	9.0 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	74 km	2.9 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	82 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	78 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	74 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1993	EF2	95 km	1.0 mi	0
Jun 15, 1992	EF2	90 km	2.0 mi	0
Aug 5, 1987	EF2	86 km	1.2 mi	0
Sep 7, 1979	EF2	49 km	1.0 mi	0
Jul 10, 1977	EF2	100 km	15.9 mi	0
Jul 19, 1975	EF2	73 km	20.9 mi	0
Jul 2, 1974	EF2	51 km	18.5 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	91 km	2.7 mi	0
May 19, 1974	EF2	90 km	5.6 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: REGION 24 COMPLEX (66,349 acres, 2012).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2012	REGION 24 COMPLEX	66,349	100 km
2016	COTTONWOOD CA	41,775	97 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	52 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	45 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	14 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	64 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	37 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	29 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	42 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	82 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	64 km
1998	TNC	4,683	91 km
1991	YELLOWROBE	4,679	21 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	8 km
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	95 km
2022	WEST SF	3,126	46 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	89 km
2002	LOOKING	2,981	48 km
2023	NENFR-HFR-FY23-RX-UNITS 35-36-39	2,936	84 km
1988	CROOKSTON	2,688	76 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	21°F (-6°C)	0.3 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.5 in
March	36°F (2°C)	1.3 in
April	47°F (9°C)	2.1 in
May	59°F (15°C)	3.1 in
June	69°F (20°C)	3.2 in	Wettest
July	75°F (24°C)	2.7 in	Warmest
August	74°F (23°C)	1.7 in
September	64°F (18°C)	1.4 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.3 in
November	35°F (1°C)	0.6 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

White River has a seasonal temperature swing of 54°F / from 21°F in January to 75°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 18.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.2") and January the driest (0.3").

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