Does it Snow in South Dakota?

By
Mohit

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    South Dakota, the Mount Rushmore state, experiences four different seasons every year. Each season has its appeal and climatic patterns. At the same time, the wind blows at any time of the year irrespective of any particular season or moment in the day, creating a breezy and pleasant atmosphere all around.

    This is probably one of the reasons to move to South Dakota. But a question arises, does it snow in South Dakota? If yes, then by how much and when? Is it safe to move or visit the state during that time? In this article, we are going to figure out the average snowfall months and amounts experienced by South Dakota.

    We will also address what type of climate South Dakota has and answer some of the most asked questions regarding snowfall in South Dakota. So, let’s get started! 

    How often does South Dakota snow?

    Does it snow a lot in South Dakota? Yes, a lot, higher than the national average. South Dakota receives an average snowfall of 39 inches per year, which is higher than the national average of 28 inches per year. While March gets the most snow 7.4 inches, the remaining seven months of the year receive significant snowfall. 

    When was the last snow in South Dakota?

    South Dakota received its last snow on December 12, 2022, which continued till December 16, 2022.

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    1. Climate in South Dakota

    With an average daily high of barely 15°F, South Dakota is one of the coldest regions in the USA. There is a wide range of temperatures throughout the year, from very cold winters to hot, humid summers. July is South Dakota’s sunniest month, with 11 hours daily. December is the sunniest.  January has the lowest rainfall average at 0.4 mm.

    Climate in South Dakota
    Climate in South Dakota

    On the other hand, June is the wettest month. The average humidity in August is about 53%, so it is not very humid that month. In February, it reached its most remarkable point of 65%.

    What type of climate does South Dakota have?

    South Dakota witnesses four distinct seasons and is referred to as having a continental climate, varying from warm and moist summers to cold and parched winters. The state averages a maximum temperature of around 32°C, reducing to 16°C at night.

    What’s the weather like in South Dakota year-round?

    The weather throughout the year in South Dakota is varied and offers distant seasons with hot summers and extremely cold winters. It is one of the coldest regions in the USA having an average daily maximum temperature of 15°.

    What city in South Dakota has the best climate?

    Rapid city has the best climate in South Dakota with an average annual temperature of around 46°C. The city also receives 5% fewer days of snowfall and 45% fewer days of rainfall as compared to other South Dakota cities.

    2. Freezing Days in South Dakota

    Freezing days in South Dakota typically begin in early October and continue through January until the end of March. During this time the average daily high temperature is lower than 32°F. January is the coldest month of the year in South Dakota, with an average low temperature of 10°F and a high temperature of 27°F.

    Freezing Days in South Dakota
    Freezing Days in South Dakota

    The end months of the year are usually welcomed grandly by winter enthusiasts. Early December to early March is the perfect time to enjoy ski areas, ice fishing, long miles of snowmobile trails, ice skating, road tripping, and other winter recreations.

    If you are visiting South Dakota to celebrate winter, don’t forget to visit black hills national forest as this area records the highest levels of snowfall of about 100 inches in a season. Wind chills, SD is the coldest place to live in South Dakota with temperatures around -55°.  

    What’s the coldest month in South Dakota?

    January and February are the coldest months in South Dakota. During these months the state gets an average maximum temperature of 26°F during day time and reduces to 10°F overnight. 

    What is the coldest day in South Dakota?

    South Dakota has recorded the extremely coldest day on January 19,  1970, measuring a maximum lowest temperature of -36°F.

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    3. Extremely Cloudy Days in South Dakota

    The average proportion of the sky that is covered by clouds in South Dakota varies greatly throughout the year. The cloudier portion of the year begins around the 16th of October and continues for around 7.7 months, coming to an end around the 8th of June.

    Extremely Cloudy Days in South Dakota
    Extremely Cloudy Days in South Dakota

    March is the cloudiest month of the year in Winner, with an average of 52% of the time being spent with the sky being overcast or mainly cloudy during that period. 

    How many cloudy days does South Dakota have?

    South Dakota has 80 fully cloudy days per year and also receives some kind of precipitation in the form of rain, hail, or sleet that falls to the ground on those days.

    What is the cloudiest city in South Dakota?

    Sioux Falls is the cloudiest city in South Dakota which has 50% – 55% fully or partly cloudy skies of the time.

    What is the cloudiest month in South Dakota?

    January is the cloudiest month of the year in South Dakota which averages 55% fully or partly cloudy skies at the time. 

    4. Snowfall in South Dakota

    When compared to the other states in the United States, South Dakota’s annual snowfall, at 38.6 inches on average, is somewhat in the middle of the pack. South Dakota receives an average of 7.4 inches of snow each month. From November 3rd until April 30th, snow is likely, with a cumulative snowfall of at least 1.0 inches over the previous 31 days.

    Snowfall in South Dakota
    Snowfall in South Dakota

    The average amount of snow that falls in Winner is 2.4 inches and it snows the most in March. However, if you wonder, does it snow in Deadwood, South Dakota? Here winters are long, chilly, and snowy and skies remain partly cloudy. The temperature usually varies between 12°F to 85°F and sometimes goes down below 5°F to 90°F.

    What part of South Dakota has snow?

    The eastern and Central part of South Dakota averages the most snowfall around 32 to 35 inches every year. 

    Does South Dakota get much snow?

    South Dakota gets a lot of snow of about 39 inches per year which is much higher than the national average of 28 inches. 

    What months does it snow in South Dakota?

    When does it snow in South Dakota? It happens during March and April and is known to be the snowiest months in South Dakota. 

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    5. Snow On The Ground in South Dakota

    From November to March, people have reported seeing snow on the ground. The typical accumulation of snow on the ground is 7.1 centimeters (2.8 inches). Snow covers the land from November through March.

    Snow On The Ground in South Dakota
    Snow On The Ground in South Dakota

    How many inches of snow does South Dakota have?

    South Dakota averages about 35 – 39 inches of snowfall in a year. 

    Does it Snow in South Dakota FAQs

    Is snow common in South Dakota?

    Snowfall is common in South Dakota and happens during March and April every year. 

    Does it snow in South Dakota for Christmas?

    There is a 50% chance of snowfall in South Dakota during Christmas.

    How many days does it snow in New South Dakota?

    New South Dakota receives snowfall of about 32.8 days in a year.

    Conclusion

    South Dakota is a serene and a little lonely place with lots of wildlife and natural beauty. Although you have many places to visit and many things to do in Keystone, South Dakota, being a part of winter recreations and enjoying them have a separate fanbase for South Dakotans. 

    You can expect to see snow in winter if you live anywhere in South Dakota. Based on the time of year and the amount of rainfall, South Dakota’s winters can see accumulations of nearly 100 inches of snow in upcoming years. Also, accompanied by some of the most severe storms and snowfall totals ever recorded, including years with little to no snowfall. 

    Overall, snowfall in South Dakota is quite noticeable. Perhaps, this is the reason why Lead, the snowiest place in South Dakota is listed among the top 10 snowiest places in the US, recording an average of 180 inches and more snow every year. So, if you are residing in South Dakota, share your snowfall stories in the comment section below! 

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