South Dakota Climate and Average Weather
Climate of South Dakota: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in South Dakota month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 28° | 11° | 0,4 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| February | 39° | 19° | 0,3 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| March | 51° | 28° | 0,6 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| April | 58° | 38° | 2,9 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| May | 70° | 50° | 3,6 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 80° | 61° | 3,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| July | 89° | 68° | 1,9 in | ★★★★★ |
| August | 84° | 65° | 2,0 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 80° | 60° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 64° | 45° | 1,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| November | 47° | 31° | 0,7 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| December | 38° | 21° | 1,1 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
Climate type: Continental. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in South Dakota
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How South Dakota compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against South Dakota.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 170 mi | 45°F | 37°F cooler | 23 in |
| Theodore Roosevelt National Park | 237 mi | 46°F | 36°F cooler | 16 in |
| Nebraska | 308 mi | 55°F | +37°F warmer | 29 in |
| Omaha | 310 mi | 54°F | +36°F warmer | 29 in |
| Itasca State Park | 317 mi | 43°F | 40°F cooler | 27 in |
Climate by national park in South Dakota
2 national parks mapped in this atlas
Climate by attraction in South Dakota
1 attractions mapped in this atlas
Climate by state park in South Dakota
1 state and provincial parks mapped in this atlas
Best time to visit South Dakota
Go in June, July, August and September. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for South Dakota
Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 85°F is in line with the 84°F typical for this month.
Rain is very unlikely today - plans do not need a backup.
No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 91°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- Lightweight, light-coloured clothing and a refillable water bottle
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
South Dakota is a state in United States. South Dakota is a US state with its capital at Pierre. It has a population of about 920.000. The capital is Pierre.
Right now it is 76°F (24°C) in South Dakota with clear. It feels like 73°F. Today runs from 67°F to 85°F. Chance of precipitation is 8%. Sightseeing conditions score 9/10 - excellent - go now.
The best time to visit South Dakota is June, July, August and September. The climate is continental. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 89°F, while January is the coldest with lows near 11°F.
Nearby highlights include Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park.
In plain terms. Today is about average for August. The forecast high of 85°F is in line with the 84°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 8 AM to 11 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. stargazing is the strongest bet in South Dakota today at 9.5/10. No weather-related travel disruption is expected today. Roads and airports should run normally.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about South Dakota
| Type | State |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 44°22′5.9″N 100°21′3.6″W (44.3683, -100.351) |
| Capital | Pierre |
| Population | 920.000 |
| Area | 77.116 sq mi |
| Abbreviation | SD |
| Time zone | America/Chicago |
| Local time | 8:58 PM (UTC-05:00) |
| Best months | June, July, August and September |
| Climate | Continental |
Weather map for South Dakota
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore South Dakota
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is South Dakota?
South Dakota is a state in United States. Its coordinates are 44.3683, -100.351. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in South Dakota right now?
It is currently 76°F (24°C) with clear. Humidity is 56% and wind is 15 mph.
When is the best time to visit South Dakota?
June, July, August and September offer the most comfortable conditions in South Dakota, which has a continental climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is South Dakota in?
South Dakota observes America/Chicago (UTC-05:00). The local time is 8:58 PM.
How many people live in South Dakota?
South Dakota has a population of approximately 920.000.
What are the top things to do in South Dakota?
Popular options include Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore, Custer State Park and Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
What places are in South Dakota?
South Dakota covers 4 places in this atlas, including Badlands National Park, Wind Cave National Park, Mount Rushmore and Custer State Park.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (us-states) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Official alerts | US National Weather Service. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated August 23, 2026 at 8:58 PM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
