Central has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 81°, a January night drops to 14°, and about 184 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Central at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Central’s climate
Read from where Central sits among South Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
184 inches of snow, 31 of rain and melt
May is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 133 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Central feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Central’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
125 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 24 in half of years, so many gardeners wait a week or two past that to set out tomatoes. The first fall frost comes by Sep 25.
About 184" a winter over 40 days with an inch or more, most in April. Snow covers the ground about 120 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through May. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 15 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 81°.
The nicest months are June, July, August and September.
Parks & trails →Normals are averages. Ice storms, nor’easters, floods and heat waves are on the natural hazards page.
Natural hazards →Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Central averaged 1.3° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.7°).
A bigger shift than in 60% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
About 125 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 24 and the first by September 25.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
How Central compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in South Dakota.
Central 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 | Snow on ground | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 37° | 14° | 1.5" | 24.8" | 11 | 28 | 16° – 34° |
| February | 37° | 14° | 1.7" | 26.2" | 11 | 23 | 9° – 35° |
| March | 46° | 21° | 2.2" | 27.6" | 11 | 20 | 22° – 44° |
| April | 52° | 28° | 3.5" | 29.0" | 13 | 8 | 33° – 46° |
| May | 62° | 37° | 5.0" | 6.7" | 14 | 1 | 42° – 55° |
| June | 73° | 47° | 3.8" | 0.9" | 13 | 0 | 53° – 67° |
| July | 81° | 54° | 2.9" | 0 | 12 | 0 | 59° – 73° |
| August | 79° | 52° | 2.3" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 60° – 71° |
| September | 70° | 43° | 1.9" | 1.8" | 8 | 1 | 50° – 62° |
| October | 56° | 31° | 2.9" | 19.3" | 11 | 5 | 34° – 50° |
| November | 45° | 21° | 1.5" | 22.3" | 10 | 14 | 23° – 43° |
| December | 37° | 15° | 1.5" | 25.3" | 10 | 21 | 16° – 31° |
| Year | 56° | 31° | 30.6" | 183.9" | 133 | 120 |
Heating and cooling a home in Central
95% 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 9° to 35°. August is the most reliable, staying within 11°.
Common questions about Central’s climate
What is the coldest month in Central?
January, with a typical high of 37° and a low of 14°.
What is the hottest month in Central?
July, with a typical high of 81° and a low of 54°. About 15 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Central get?
About 184 inches in a normal winter, most of it in April.
When is the first frost in Central?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 25, and the last spring frost by May 24.
What is the rainiest month in Central?
May, with 5.0 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 31 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Central.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Central itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Lead, SD (2 mi, snow) and Deadwood, SD (2 mi, frost, heat and degree days). 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.