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Weather & Climate in Whitehorse, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Whitehorse has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 45°F (7°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. The area gets 311 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 19.4 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 41.2 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 1,705 feet.
Temperature
17°F Jan (-8°C)
73°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.3°F |
| 16% below US avg | |
| January Average | 17°F (-8°C) |
| July Average | 73°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 311 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,705 ft (520 m) |
| Area | 2.7 sq mi (7.1 km²) |
| Population Density | 46/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 45.2746°N, 100.9012°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Dewey County County |
| Nearest Airport | Pierre Regional (PIR) 69 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 78.7 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 98.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 6.9 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Low |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Very Low |
| Ice Storm | Relatively Moderate |
| Drought | Very Low |
| Cold Wave | Very High |
| 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: M3.7.
| May 30, 2024 | 38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota | M3.7 | 71 km | 15 km |
| Aug 9, 2011 | 2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota | M3.3 | 113 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 88 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
181 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 17 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| May 22, 2010 | EF4 | 92 km | 5.7 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 87 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 21, 1983 | EF3 | 66 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 73 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 60 km | 8.8 mi | 0 |
| Aug 28, 2024 | EF2 | 69 km | 5.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 62 km | 1.4 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 2010 | EF2 | 41 km | 0.4 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 100 km | 8.2 mi | 0 |
| May 24, 2010 | EF2 | 99 km | 22.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 2001 | EF2 | 96 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1983 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Oct 1, 1971 | EF2 | 84 km | 0.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 18, 1970 | EF2 | 51 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 14, 1970 | EF2 | 81 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 7, 1969 | EF2 | 59 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 13, 1965 | EF2 | 89 km | 4.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 18, 1964 | EF2 | 85 km | 24.6 mi | 0 |
| Jun 8, 1964 | EF2 | 27 km | 3.8 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1964 | EF2 | 95 km | 16.0 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: TENBROOK (30,588 acres, 2002).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2002 | TENBROOK | 30,588 | 97 km |
| 2002 | LAPLANTE | 14,777 | 19 km |
| 1991 | UNNAMED | 14,487 | 32 km |
| 2000 | GENO H. | 10,423 | 83 km |
| 2006 | STONE MAN CHURCH | 10,389 | 56 km |
| 2000 | TRIBLE | 9,718 | 72 km |
| 2006 | LUND | 9,425 | 93 km |
| 2000 | HOUCK RANCH | 8,746 | 74 km |
| 2006 | BLACK HORSE CREEK | 8,000 | 96 km |
| 1999 | BULLHEAD | 5,606 | 52 km |
| 2022 | HWY31 AND 101ST WEST | 4,879 | 88 km |
| 2000 | JENSEN | 4,739 | 60 km |
| 2000 | HAYES | 4,627 | 91 km |
| 2020 | BENT RIM | 3,665 | 50 km |
| 2006 | B WARD 1 | 3,325 | 45 km |
| 2005 | LITTLE BEND | 2,789 | 56 km |
| 2006 | 1804 | 2,778 | 55 km |
| 2000 | PASTURE 9 BURN | 2,768 | 98 km |
| 2011 | MOUND CITY | 2,755 | 78 km |
| 2012 | MCINTOSH | 2,653 | 84 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 17°F (-8°C) | 0.3 in | Coldest, Driest |
| February | 22°F (-5°C) | 0.5 in | |
| March | 32°F (0°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 46°F (8°C) | 2.1 in | |
| May | 58°F (14°C) | 2.8 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 73°F (23°C) | 2.1 in | Warmest |
| August | 73°F (23°C) | 1.9 in | |
| September | 62°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 48°F (9°C) | 1.1 in | |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.5 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.5 in |
Whitehorse has a seasonal temperature swing of 56°F / from 17°F in January to 73°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 17.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.3").