South Dakota rankings · Climate

Towns with the least snow in South Dakota

Ranked by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station, among towns that get at least an inch a year. Towns that share a station share its figure and its rank (T = tied). 37 towns with 2,500+ residents that get at least an inch of snow a year.

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ClimateSnowiest Least snow Mildest winters Hottest summers Coolest summers Longest growing season Wettest

JavaNot on this list

Java has fewer than 2,500 residents, the floor for SD lists.

Hot Springs32 in · Days with 1"+ of snow 13

Milbank32 in · Days with 1"+ of snow 9

Brookings36 in · Days with 1"+ of snow 13

All 37 towns

Snow a year, lowest first.

#TownSnow a yearDays with 1"+ of snowWeather station

1 Hot Springs3,548 people 32 in 13—

2 Milbank3,525 people 32 in 9—

3 Brookings23,948 people 36 in 13—

T4 Big SiouxUnion County · 4,917 people 36 in 11—

T4 Dakota Dunes3,936 people 36 in 11—

T4 North Sioux City3,045 people 36 in 11—

T7 Rapid City77,946 people 36 in 14—

T7 Canton3,033 people 36 in 13—

T7 Summerset3,022 people 36 in 14—

T7 Blackhawk2,934 people 36 in 14—

T7 Colonial Pine Hills2,609 people 36 in 14—

T12 Vermillion11,878 people 36 in 12—

T12 Elk Point2,537 people 36 in 12—

14 Mobridge2,932 people 36 in 12—

15 Madison6,094 people 37 in 13—

16 Pierre13,948 people 37 in 12—

17 Yankton15,540 people 38 in 13—

T18 Dell Rapids3,905 people 40 in 12—

T18 Hartford3,478 people 40 in 12—

20 Mitchell15,649 people 41 in 12—

21 Watertown23,044 people 41 in 13—

22 Belle Fourche5,804 people 42 in 12—

23 Aberdeen28,189 people 43 in 13—

24 Chamberlain2,588 people 43 in 16—

25 Huron14,385 people 44 in 13—

26 Sturgis7,086 people 48 in 12—

27 Sisseton2,670 people 48 in 14—

T28 Box Elder12,902 people 49 in 15—

T28 Rapid Valley6,975 people 49 in 15—

T30 Sioux Falls201,469 people 49 in 14—

T30 Brandon10,996 people 49 in 14—

T30 Harrisburg8,519 people 49 in 14—

T30 Tea6,786 people 49 in 14—

T30 Split RockMinnehaha County · 3,143 people 49 in 14—

35 Winner2,905 people 49 in 15—

36 Spearfish12,930 people 71 in 18—

37 Lead3,006 people 184 in 40—

How it works

How this ranking works

The SD list, with the map →

We rank every town by average snowfall in a normal winter, 1991–2020, at the nearest NOAA weather station, among towns that get at least an inch a year. The town with the lowest figure ranks #1. Normals are 30-year averages, not a forecast, and each town’s Climate page shows its whole year month by month.

Snow and frost are measured at weather stations, and each town uses the nearest NOAA station with a matching climate (within 25 miles, with temperatures that agree with the town’s own). Towns near the same station share its figure, so they tie.

Only towns with at least 2,500 residents are ranked; Census estimates for smaller places are too uncertain. Population and income: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates. Climate: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020. Town photos: Wikimedia Commons, credited on each town’s page.

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Towns with the least snow in South Dakota

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