Long Lake Colony has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers, with very little rain
A typical July afternoon reaches 83°, a January night drops to 3°, and about 34 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Long Lake Colony at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Long Lake Colony’s climate
Read from where Long Lake Colony sits among South Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 143 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 8 and the first by September 29.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
34 inches of snow, 21 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 64 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Long Lake Colony feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Living with Long Lake Colony’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
143 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 8 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 29.
About 34" a winter over 14 days with an inch or more, most in February. Snow covers the ground about 83 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 94% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 13 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 83°.
The nicest months are May, 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 Long Lake Colony averaged 0.8° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.0°).
A smaller shift than in 84% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Long Lake Colony compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in South Dakota.
Long Lake Colony 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 | 21° | 3° | 0.5" | 6.0" | 4 | 24 | -1° – 27° |
| February | 26° | 7° | 0.6" | 6.8" | 4 | 19 | 1° – 28° |
| March | 39° | 19° | 0.9" | 5.4" | 5 | 13 | 19° – 43° |
| April | 55° | 31° | 1.9" | 4.0" | 6 | 4 | 34° – 50° |
| May | 68° | 43° | 3.2" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 51° – 63° |
| June | 78° | 54° | 3.6" | 0 | 9 | 0 | 61° – 71° |
| July | 83° | 59° | 3.1" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 63° – 76° |
| August | 81° | 56° | 2.5" | 0 | 6 | 0 | 63° – 73° |
| September | 73° | 47° | 2.1" | 0 | 5 | 0 | 54° – 64° |
| October | 57° | 34° | 1.8" | 1.1" | 5 | 1 | 37° – 50° |
| November | 40° | 20° | 0.7" | 4.7" | 3 | 6 | 17° – 40° |
| December | 27° | 9° | 0.6" | 5.7" | 4 | 16 | 3° – 26° |
| Year | 54° | 32° | 21.4" | 33.7" | 64 | 83 |
Heating and cooling a home in Long Lake Colony
94% 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. January swings the most: from 1991 to 2020 its average ranged from -1° to 27°. August is the most reliable, staying within 10°.
Common questions about Long Lake Colony’s climate
What is the coldest month in Long Lake Colony?
January, with a typical high of 21° and a low of 3°.
What is the hottest month in Long Lake Colony?
July, with a typical high of 83° and a low of 59°. About 13 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Long Lake Colony get?
About 34 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Long Lake Colony?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 29, and the last spring frost by May 8.
What is the rainiest month in Long Lake Colony?
June, with 3.6 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 21 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Long Lake Colony.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Long Lake Colony itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Ipswich, SD (15 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.