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Weather & Climate in White Rock, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
White Rock has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 10°F in January while summers reach 71°F in July / a wide seasonal temperature swing of 61°F. 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 24.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.9 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 975 feet.
Temperature
10°F Jan (-12°C)
71°F Jul (22°C)
| Annual Average | 42.8°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 10°F (-12°C) |
| July Average | 71°F (22°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 975 ft (297 m) |
| Area | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 8/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.9247°N, 96.5762°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Traverse County County |
| Nearest Airport | Hector International (FAR) 70 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Very Low |
| Risk Score | 6.2 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 34.0 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 45.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Low |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | No Rating |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Low |
| 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 | 36 km | 10 km |
| Oct 20, 1995 | 8 km SSE of New Effington, South Dakota | M3.7 | 27 km | 5 km |
| Apr 29, 2011 | Minnesota | M2.5 | 81 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
422 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 6 fatalities, 108 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF4 | 53 km | 8.9 mi | 1 |
| Aug 7, 2010 | EF4 | 21 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 17, 2010 | EF4 | 90 km | 39.6 mi | 1 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF4 | 72 km | 9.1 mi | 2 |
| Jun 13, 2001 | EF3 | 100 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 17, 1996 | EF3 | 83 km | 18.0 mi | 0 |
| May 10, 1982 | EF3 | 13 km | 15.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 94 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF3 | 92 km | 6.2 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF3 | 14 km | 5.2 mi | 0 |
| Jul 2, 1955 | EF3 | 67 km | 18.7 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1952 | EF3 | 33 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 45 km | 6.8 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 94 km | 19.6 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 2022 | EF2 | 36 km | 11.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 2022 | EF2 | 13 km | 9.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 14, 2020 | EF2 | 38 km | 13.4 mi | 0 |
| Jul 8, 2020 | EF2 | 93 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Sep 4, 2014 | EF2 | 68 km | 2.7 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 | 83 km |
| 2021 | BIESTERFELD | 3,481 | 82 km |
| 2003 | ROTHSAY | 3,015 | 69 km |
| 2024 | DORAN WMA | 2,455 | 37 km |
| 2003 | CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE | 2,067 | 97 km |
| 2004 | FISH FIRE | 1,799 | 81 km |
| 2003 | DANIELSON | 1,682 | 45 km |
| 2003 | OLERUD | 1,275 | 81 km |
| 2005 | GRAND MEWS | 1,245 | 78 km |
| 1998 | LEE | 1,137 | 79 km |
| 2016 | UNNAMED | 1,128 | 36 km |
| 1995 | UNNAMED | 1,115 | 78 km |
| 2003 | ANDERSON | 1,082 | 81 km |
| 2019 | UNNAMED | 1,060 | 36 km |
| 2021 | HARTLEBEN WPA | 1,002 | 35 km |
| 1998 | ANDREASEN | 1,001 | 80 km |
| 1992 | SPRING LK | 1,001 | 80 km |
| 1990 | ANDERSON | 988 | 78 km |
| 1992 | MEADOWS | 922 | 59 km |
| 2007 | ANDERSON | 797 | 81 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.6 in | Coldest |
| February | 17°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in | Driest |
| March | 29°F (-2°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 58°F (15°C) | 2.6 in | |
| June | 67°F (20°C) | 3.6 in | Wettest |
| July | 71°F (22°C) | 3.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 70°F (21°C) | 2.5 in | |
| September | 60°F (15°C) | 2.2 in | |
| October | 47°F (8°C) | 1.6 in | |
| November | 29°F (-2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 16°F (-9°C) | 0.5 in |
White Rock has a seasonal temperature swing of 61°F / from 10°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 21.3 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.6") and February the driest (0.5").