Canova has cold, snowy winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 84°, a January night drops to 7°, and about 36 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Canova at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Canova’s climate
Read from where Canova sits among South Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Canova averaged 0.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.8°).
A smaller shift than in 87% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
What a year in Canova feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
36 inches of snow, 26 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 80 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
About 149 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 5 and the first by October 2.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Canova’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
149 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 5 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Oct 2.
About 36" a winter over 11 days with an inch or more, most in December.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 91% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 14 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 84°.
The nicest months are May, June, August and September. 2.6 miles of trails are waiting.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Canova and its neighbors
Rock Creek has the coldest January nights next door (7°) and Rock Creek the hottest July afternoons (85°). Tap a town to see its climate.
Temperatures and rain come from NOAA’s 5 km grid, so each town gets its own value. Snow and frost-free days come from the nearest weather station, so neighbors often share them.
How Canova compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in South Dakota.
Canova weather by month
Average highs, lows, rain and snow for every month, from NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals.
| Month | High | Low | Rain + melt | Snow | Wet days | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 26° | 7° | 0.5" | 5.8" | 5 | 5° – 31° |
| February | 31° | 11° | 0.8" | 6.4" | 5 | 6° – 33° |
| March | 43° | 22° | 1.2" | 6.6" | 5 | 23° – 49° |
| April | 58° | 34° | 2.6" | 5.2" | 9 | 36° – 53° |
| May | 69° | 46° | 3.7" | 0 | 10 | 52° – 65° |
| June | 79° | 57° | 4.0" | 0 | 11 | 63° – 73° |
| July | 84° | 61° | 3.2" | 0 | 7 | 65° – 80° |
| August | 82° | 59° | 3.1" | 0 | 7 | 65° – 74° |
| September | 74° | 50° | 2.9" | 0 | 7 | 55° – 67° |
| October | 60° | 36° | 2.1" | 1.0" | 6 | 41° – 53° |
| November | 44° | 23° | 0.9" | 3.2" | 4 | 23° – 43° |
| December | 30° | 12° | 0.7" | 7.6" | 5 | 7° – 27° |
| Year | 57° | 35° | 25.7" | 35.8" | 80 |
Heating and cooling a home in Canova
91% of the work is heating, so the furnace matters far more than the air conditioner.
Degree days add up how far each day’s average falls below (heating) or rises above (cooling) 65° over a year. Source: NOAA station normals.
How much a month can swing
A normal is an average. February swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 6° to 33°. August is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Canova’s climate
What is the coldest month in Canova?
January, with a typical high of 26° and a low of 7°.
What is the hottest month in Canova?
July, with a typical high of 84° and a low of 61°. About 14 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Canova get?
About 36 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Canova?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 2, and the last spring frost by May 5.
What is the rainiest month in Canova?
June, with 4.0 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 26 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Canova.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Canova itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Howard, SD (8 mi) away. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020 and 1901–2000. Today’s forecast: National Weather Service.