Franklin has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 7°, and about 40 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Franklin at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Franklin’s climate
Read from where Franklin sits among South Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Franklin averaged 0.7° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+2.4°).
A smaller shift than in 92% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
40 inches of snow, 27 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 81 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Franklin feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
About 156 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 2 and the first by October 5.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Franklin’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
156 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 2 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 5.
About 40" a winter over 12 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 71 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 92% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 11 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, June, July, August and September. 1.3 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 →Franklin and its neighbors
Lake View has the coldest January nights next door (6°) and Chester the hottest July afternoons (83°). 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 Franklin compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in South Dakota.
Franklin 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 | 24° | 7° | 0.5" | 6.3" | 5 | 19 | 4° – 29° |
| February | 30° | 10° | 0.8" | 7.4" | 6 | 15 | 7° – 31° |
| March | 42° | 22° | 1.4" | 6.6" | 6 | 12 | 22° – 48° |
| April | 56° | 33° | 2.7" | 4.9" | 8 | 2 | 35° – 51° |
| May | 68° | 46° | 3.6" | 0.2" | 11 | 0 | 52° – 64° |
| June | 78° | 57° | 4.2" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 63° – 72° |
| July | 83° | 61° | 3.3" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 64° – 79° |
| August | 80° | 58° | 3.4" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 64° – 73° |
| September | 73° | 50° | 3.0" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 55° – 66° |
| October | 59° | 36° | 2.1" | 0.9" | 6 | 1 | 40° – 53° |
| November | 42° | 23° | 1.0" | 5.1" | 4 | 6 | 22° – 43° |
| December | 28° | 12° | 0.7" | 8.2" | 4 | 16 | 6° – 27° |
| Year | 55° | 34° | 26.7" | 39.6" | 81 | 71 |
Heating and cooling a home in Franklin
92% 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. March swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from 22° to 48°. August is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Franklin’s climate
What is the coldest month in Franklin?
January, with a typical high of 24° and a low of 7°.
What is the hottest month in Franklin?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 61°. About 11 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Franklin get?
About 40 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Franklin?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 5, and the last spring frost by May 2.
What is the rainiest month in Franklin?
June, with 4.2 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 27 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Franklin.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Franklin itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Colton, SD (10 mi, snow) and Wentworth 2.5 Wnw, SD (9 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.