Weather & Climate in Wood, SD

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

Wood experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 23°F in January while summers reach 74°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 20.5 inches (drier than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 50.3 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 2,147 feet.

Temperature

23°F Jan (-5°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)

Annual Average	47.4°F
	12% below US avg
January Average	23°F (-5°C)
July Average	74°F (23°C)
Sunny Days	291 days/yr

Geography

Elevation	2,147 ft (654 m)
Area	0.3 sq mi (0.6 km²)
Population Density	220/sq mi
Coordinates	43.4971°N, 100.4802°W
Timezone	America/Chicago
County	Mellette County County
Nearest Airport	Pierre Regional (PIR) 62 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 20.5"

46% below US avg

Snowfall 50.3"

Wettest Month (May) 3.31"

Driest Month (Jan) 0.35"

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

19 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.

May 25, 2003	10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota	M4.0	116 km	5 km
May 30, 2024	38 km NNW of Pierre, South Dakota	M3.7	132 km	15 km
Aug 26, 1991	15 km SSE of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.4	149 km	5 km
Jan 25, 1994	8 km E of Wood Lake, Nebraska	M3.3	101 km	5 km
Aug 9, 2011	2 km S of Fort Pierre, South Dakota	M3.3	93 km	5 km
Jun 18, 2015	15 km SSE of Valentine, Nebraska	M3.3	84 km	5 km
Apr 11, 2016	11 km E of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.2	133 km	5 km
Aug 5, 2022	4 km ENE of Draper, South Dakota	M3.2	49 km	9 km
Feb 20, 1993	21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska	M3.1	109 km	5 km
Jul 12, 1998	7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota	M3.1	51 km	5 km
Feb 7, 2014	11 km NE of Bijou Hills, South Dakota	M3.0	114 km	5 km
Jan 1, 2025	4 km S of Brownlee, Nebraska	M3.0	139 km	5 km
Feb 1, 2006	6 km ENE of Bassett, Nebraska	M2.9	128 km	5 km
Jul 3, 1995	9 km SSW of Fort Thompson, South Dakota	M2.8	97 km	5 km
Apr 4, 2024	19 km SW of Interior, South Dakota	M2.8	137 km	9 km
Mar 20, 2010	9 km NNW of Springview, Nebraska	M2.7	86 km	5 km
Jul 7, 2024	11 km NNW of Merriman, Nebraska	M2.6	115 km	11 km
Jun 16, 2021	15 km N of Quinn, South Dakota	M2.6	147 km	5 km
Apr 27, 2025	9 km NE of Burke, South Dakota	M2.5	105 km	5 km

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

Tornado History

237 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF5. Total: 32 injuries.

Date	Rating	Distance	Path	Fatalities
May 8, 1965	EF5	83 km	30.1 mi	0
Jul 23, 1973	EF3	95 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 24, 1971	EF3	98 km	2.5 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	81 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 9, 1971	EF3	96 km	0.1 mi	0
May 8, 1965	EF3	100 km	1.5 mi	0
Jun 15, 1962	EF3	82 km	0.1 mi	0
May 15, 1962	EF3	93 km	0.1 mi	0
May 14, 1962	EF3	82 km	53.8 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	57 km	3.9 mi	0
Jun 12, 2022	EF2	58 km	0.5 mi	0
May 22, 2016	EF2	52 km	4.6 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	51 km	2.9 mi	0
May 22, 2010	EF2	77 km	9.0 mi	0
Jul 13, 2009	EF2	78 km	0.1 mi	0
Jul 3, 2003	EF2	94 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 29, 1993	EF2	51 km	5.0 mi	0
Jun 23, 1993	EF2	82 km	3.0 mi	0
Jun 12, 1993	EF2	98 km	1.0 mi	0
Aug 5, 1987	EF2	76 km	1.2 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	83 km
2012	LONGHORN COMPLEX	41,443	61 km
1988	LIGHTNING	18,426	54 km
2024	POWER DAM ROAD	15,047	34 km
2012	CROOKSTON	14,962	63 km
2011	OKREEK	11,115	17 km
1987	BIG FIRE	9,107	36 km
2021	DRY CREEK CA	8,123	58 km
2023	MCCANN	7,110	82 km
2017	WANBLEE TIMBER	4,982	86 km
1998	TNC	4,683	76 km
1991	YELLOWROBE	4,679	28 km
2012	TOWER	4,599	31 km
2006	THOMPSON COMPLEX	3,230	91 km
2022	WEST SF	3,126	51 km
2000	CLOVER	3,062	81 km
2002	LOOKING	2,981	53 km
2023	NENFR-HFR-FY23-RX-UNITS 35-36-39	2,936	72 km
1988	CROOKSTON	2,688	71 km
2021	WHIPPLE CAMP	2,643	59 km

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

Monthly Weather

Month	Avg Temperature	Precipitation	Summary
January	23°F (-5°C)	0.4 in	Coldest, Driest
February	27°F (-3°C)	0.6 in
March	35°F (2°C)	1.3 in
April	47°F (8°C)	2.1 in
May	58°F (15°C)	3.3 in	Wettest
June	68°F (20°C)	3.0 in
July	74°F (23°C)	2.9 in	Warmest
August	73°F (23°C)	1.7 in
September	63°F (17°C)	1.7 in
October	50°F (10°C)	1.4 in
November	35°F (1°C)	0.7 in
December	24°F (-4°C)	0.4 in

Wood has a seasonal temperature swing of 51°F / from 23°F in January to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 19.5 inches, with May being the wettest month (3.3") and January the driest (0.4").

View full profile of Wood, SD →