All Countries
Weather & Climate in Wounded Knee, SD
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Wounded Knee experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 48°F (9°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. The area gets 261 sunny days per year, well above the U.S. average of 205 / making it one of the sunnier locations in the country. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 35. The city sits at an elevation of 3,235 feet.
Temperature
25°F Jan (-4°C)
74°F Jul (23°C)
| Annual Average | 48.3°F |
| 11% below US avg | |
| January Average | 25°F (-4°C) |
| July Average | 74°F (23°C) |
| Sunny Days | 261 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3,235 ft (986 m) |
| Area | 1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 452/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 43.1435°N, 102.3682°W |
| Timezone | America/Chicago |
| County | Oglala Lakota County County |
| Nearest Airport | Rapid City Regional (RAP) 71 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 35.0 |
| Rating | Good |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 49.8 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 99.7 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 0.1 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Relatively Low |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Relatively Moderate |
| Flood | Very Low |
| Hail | Relatively Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively High |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively Moderate |
| Lightning | Relatively High |
| Ice Storm | Very Low |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Earthquake History
29 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.0.
| Jan 28, 1990 | 8 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M4.0 | 22 km | 5 km |
| May 25, 2003 | 10 km SSW of Martin, South Dakota | M4.0 | 47 km | 5 km |
| Apr 9, 1996 | 34 km SW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.7 | 141 km | 5 km |
| Feb 6, 1996 | 13 km WNW of Hill City, South Dakota | M3.7 | 144 km | 5 km |
| Oct 18, 2012 | 28 km NW of Hyannis, Nebraska | M3.6 | 109 km | 5 km |
| Mar 9, 2025 | 7 km W of Fairburn, South Dakota | M3.6 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Dec 12, 2013 | 10 km WSW of Hermosa, South Dakota | M3.5 | 107 km | 5 km |
| Mar 26, 2021 | 10 km E of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.4 | 110 km | 5 km |
| Mar 2, 1990 | 7 km N of Manderson-White Horse Creek, South Dakota | M3.2 | 20 km | 5 km |
| Jul 12, 1998 | 7 km E of Corn Creek, South Dakota | M3.1 | 111 km | 5 km |
| Jun 18, 1998 | 23 km S of Chadron, Nebraska | M3.1 | 78 km | 5 km |
| Feb 20, 1993 | 21 km WSW of Cody, Nebraska | M3.1 | 82 km | 5 km |
| Feb 7, 2007 | 11 km WSW of Wasta, South Dakota | M3.1 | 100 km | 5 km |
| May 3, 1996 | 32 km SSW of Edgemont, South Dakota | M3.1 | 135 km | 5 km |
| Jun 29, 2024 | 22 km ESE of Hill View Heights, Wyoming | M3.0 | 141 km | 10 km |
| Jan 16, 2012 | 25 km E of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M3.0 | 64 km | 5 km |
| Jun 16, 2024 | 7 km NNE of Buffalo Gap, South Dakota | M2.9 | 85 km | 8 km |
| Mar 10, 2011 | 22 km N of Van Tassell, Wyoming | M2.9 | 143 km | 5 km |
| Mar 18, 1994 | 4 km SSW of Hot Springs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 96 km | 5 km |
| Jul 17, 2016 | 15 km NNE of Oelrichs, South Dakota | M2.8 | 67 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tornado History
212 tornadoes (EF0+) recorded within 100 km since 1950. Strongest on record: EF3. Total: 1 fatality, 67 injuries.
| Date | Rating | Distance | Path | Fatalities |
| Jun 4, 1994 | EF3 | 71 km | 12.0 mi | 0 |
| May 5, 1993 | EF3 | 78 km | 13.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 6, 1963 | EF3 | 36 km | 24.4 mi | 0 |
| Aug 6, 1956 | EF3 | 34 km | 28.3 mi | 0 |
| Jul 26, 2016 | EF2 | 37 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 3, 2003 | EF2 | 65 km | 3.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 41 km | 15.0 mi | 1 |
| Jun 4, 1999 | EF2 | 34 km | 4.0 mi | 0 |
| Aug 17, 1983 | EF2 | 57 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 19, 1983 | EF2 | 69 km | 22.0 mi | 0 |
| Jun 4, 1982 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.8 mi | 0 |
| May 23, 1982 | EF2 | 71 km | 0.3 mi | 0 |
| Mar 29, 1982 | EF2 | 34 km | 0.2 mi | 0 |
| Jun 25, 1978 | EF2 | 26 km | 11.1 mi | 0 |
| Jul 10, 1977 | EF2 | 67 km | 15.9 mi | 0 |
| Jul 27, 1972 | EF2 | 90 km | 1.0 mi | 0 |
| Jul 14, 1969 | EF2 | 86 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| Jun 22, 1966 | EF2 | 92 km | 0.1 mi | 0 |
| May 2, 1964 | EF2 | 93 km | 14.8 mi | 0 |
| May 20, 1962 | EF2 | 39 km | 3.6 mi | 0 |
Source: NOAA Storm Prediction Center (EF0+, 1950–2024, US only).
Wildfire History
20 wildfires (100+ acres) recorded within 100 km. Largest: WELLNITZ (77,277 acres, 2012).
| Year | Name | Acres Burned | Distance |
| 2012 | WELLNITZ | 77,277 | 31 km |
| 2012 | WEST ASH | 55,228 | 83 km |
| 2016 | COTTONWOOD CA | 41,775 | 94 km |
| 2006 | DAWES COUNTY COMPLEX | 27,923 | 75 km |
| 2007 | STAMPEDE | 22,848 | 25 km |
| 1985 | YELLOWBEAR | 19,212 | 29 km |
| 2016 | FREEMAN | 19,121 | 54 km |
| 1985 | 4TH OFJULY | 18,177 | 25 km |
| 2012 | HAY CANYON | 17,815 | 54 km |
| 2000 | HASNOHORSE | 13,420 | 36 km |
| 2022 | CASINO | 11,583 | 43 km |
| 1987 | GRASS CK3 | 11,125 | 23 km |
| 2000 | DECKER | 10,883 | 23 km |
| 2000 | PEPPER CREEK | 8,915 | 15 km |
| 1985 | SEVEN SISTERS | 8,465 | 93 km |
| 2000 | FLAGPOLE MOUNTAIN | 7,703 | 95 km |
| 2002 | WANNA | 7,699 | 35 km |
| 2002 | COTTONWOOD | 6,696 | 23 km |
| 1985 | CALICO | 6,475 | 19 km |
| 2015 | COLD BROOK | 6,441 | 99 km |
Source: NIFC/IRWIN Wildfire Records (100+ acres).
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.3 in | Driest |
| February | 28°F (-2°C) | 0.4 in | |
| March | 36°F (2°C) | 0.8 in | |
| April | 45°F (7°C) | 1.8 in | |
| May | 56°F (13°C) | 3.0 in | |
| June | 66°F (19°C) | 3.1 in | Wettest |
| July | 74°F (23°C) | 2.7 in | Warmest |
| August | 72°F (22°C) | 1.6 in | |
| September | 61°F (16°C) | 1.3 in | |
| October | 49°F (9°C) | 0.9 in | |
| November | 34°F (1°C) | 0.4 in | |
| December | 25°F (-4°C) | 0.4 in | Coldest |
Wounded Knee has a seasonal temperature swing of 49°F / from 25°F in December to 74°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.7 inches, with June being the wettest month (3.1") and January the driest (0.3").