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Weather & Climate in Wolsey, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wolsey experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 46°F (8°C). Winters average 16°F in January while summers reach 74°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 23.3 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 44.4 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 1,342 feet.
Temperature
16°F Jan (-9°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 45.9°F |
| 15% below US avg | |
| January Average | 16°F (-9°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 276 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 1,342 ft (409 m) |
| Area | 2.3 sq mi (6.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 293/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.4108°N, 98.4739°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Beadle County County |
| Nearest Airport | Huron Regional (HON) 12 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
7 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M3.6.
| Oct 25, 1990 | 8 km N of Plankinton, South Dakota | M3.6 | 69 km | 5 km |
| Jul 26, 2002 | 0 km WSW of Huron, South Dakota | M3.1 | 21 km | 5 km |
| Aug 15, 2017 | 8 km E of Agar, South Dakota | M3.0 | 127 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2014 | 11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota | M3.0 | 102 km | 5 km |
| Jul 3, 1995 | 9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota | M2.8 | 94 km | 5 km |
| Apr 27, 2025 | 9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota | M2.5 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Jan 16, 2022 | 9 km NE of Plankinton, South Dakota | M2.5 | 72 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
404 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF4. Total: 9 fatalities, 228 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF4 | 42 km | 11.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF4 | 58 km | 10.0 mi | 0 |
| May 30, 1998 | EF4 | 97 km | 14.0 mi | 6 |
| May 5, 2007 | EF3 | 81 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 24, 2006 | EF3 | 24 km | 24.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 36 km | 3.5 mi | 0 |
| Jun 24, 2003 | EF3 | 47 km | 6.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 7, 1993 | EF3 | 29 km | 5.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 86 km | 2.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 16, 1992 | EF3 | 84 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| May 12, 1984 | EF3 | 79 km | 27.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 1, 1973 | EF3 | 93 km | 0.3 mi | 1 |
| Jul 24, 1971 | EF3 | 98 km | 2.5 mi | 0 |
| Jul 9, 1971 | EF3 | 97 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 1971 | EF3 | 62 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 20, 1968 | EF3 | 90 km | 9.9 mi | 0 |
| May 21, 1962 | EF3 | 84 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 9, 1957 | EF3 | 86 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 30, 2020 | EF2 | 53 km | 1.6 mi | 1 |
| Jun 18, 2014 | EF2 | 54 km | 1.1 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
6 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: HOLIDAY (2,936 acres, 2022).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2022 | HOLIDAY | 2,936 | 73 km |
| 2000 | GANN VALLEY | 2,534 | 43 km |
| 2011 | HIGHWAY 47 | 1,800 | 93 km |
| 2005 | CHAOS | 1,539 | 82 km |
| 2005 | N HYDE | 1,204 | 84 km |
| 2009 | TAHOHPI WUI RX | 1,166 | 7 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 | 59°F (15°C) | 3.1 in | |
| June | 68°F (20°C) | 3.3 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 2.1 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 1.8 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 1.5 in | |
| November | 31°F (-0°C) | 0.8 in | |
| December | 19°F (-7°C) | 0.4 in |
Wolsey has a seasonal temperature swing of 58°F / from 16°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 20.4 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").