Weather & Climate in White, SD

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

White has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 13°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 25.2 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 35.8 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 1,791 feet.

Temperature

13°F Jan (-11°C) 71°F Jul (22°C)

Annual Average	43.3°F
	20% below US avg
January Average	13°F (-11°C)
July Average	71°F (22°C)
Sunny Days	276 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	1,791 ft (546 m)
Area	0.9 sq mi (2.3 km²)
Population Density	503/sq mi
Coordinates	44.4359°N, 96.6460°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Brookings County County
Nearest Airport	Brookings Regional (BKX) 12 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 25.2"

34% below US avg

Snowfall 35.8"

Wettest Month (Jun) 3.98"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.47"

Air Quality

AQI Median	35.0
Rating	Good

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall Risk	Relatively Low
Risk Score	50.1 / 100
Social Vulnerability	10.6 / 100
Community Resilience	65.8 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado	Relatively Moderate
Earthquake	Very Low
Wildfire	Relatively Low
Flood	Relatively Low
Hail	Relatively Moderate
Strong Wind	Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave	Relatively Low
Winter Weather	Relatively High
Lightning	Very Low
Ice Storm	Relatively Moderate
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	140 km	10 km
Jul 26, 2002	0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota	M3.1	125 km	5 km
Feb 9, 1994	6 km NNE of Blomkest, Minnesota	M3.1	144 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

463 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 13 fatalities, 287 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
Jun 16, 1992	EF5	87 km	16.0 mi	1
Jun 13, 1968	EF5	77 km	9.1 mi	9
Jun 24, 2003	EF4	91 km	10.0 mi	0
Jul 25, 2000	EF4	93 km	9.0 mi	1
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	80 km	10.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF4	83 km	54.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF4	80 km	7.0 mi	0
Jul 7, 1955	EF4	36 km	30.0 mi	1
May 30, 2022	EF3	43 km	13.3 mi	0
May 17, 1996	EF3	83 km	18.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	67 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	87 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 7, 1993	EF3	55 km	6.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	88 km	16.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	77 km	2.5 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	76 km	12.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	43 km	4.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	81 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 16, 1992	EF3	74 km	6.0 mi	0
Apr 20, 1985	EF3	74 km	8.0 mi	0

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

Wildfire History

17 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: LOUISBURGRADE (6,487 acres, 2004).

Year	Name	Acres Burned	Distance
2004	LOUISBURGRADE	6,487	93 km
2003	CHIPPEWA PRAIRIE	2,067	94 km
2004	FISH FIRE	1,799	91 km
2005	GRAND MEWS	1,245	93 km
1998	LEE	1,137	91 km
1995	UNNAMED	1,115	92 km
2003	ANDERSON	1,082	91 km
1998	ANDREASEN	1,001	92 km
1990	ANDERSON	988	93 km
2007	ANDERSON	797	91 km
2006	ANDERSON	764	93 km
1986	ANDERSON	746	91 km
2000	FISH	720	92 km
2007	LEE	689	91 km
2003	LEE	560	91 km
1993	LEE	516	91 km
1995	ANDREASON	507	91 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	13°F (-11°C)	0.5 in	Coldest, Driest
February	17°F (-8°C)	0.5 in
March	30°F (-1°C)	1.5 in
April	44°F (7°C)	2.2 in
May	57°F (14°C)	3.0 in
June	66°F (19°C)	4.0 in	Wettest
July	71°F (22°C)	3.4 in	Warmest
August	69°F (20°C)	2.9 in
September	59°F (15°C)	2.5 in
October	47°F (8°C)	1.9 in
November	30°F (-1°C)	1.1 in
December	16°F (-9°C)	0.5 in

White has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 13°F in January to 71°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 23.9 inches, with June being the wettest month (4.0") and January the driest (0.5").

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