Platte has cold, snowy winters and warm summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 88°, a January night drops to 10°, and about 46 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Platte at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Platte’s climate
Read from where Platte sits among South Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
Living with Platte’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
159 frost-free days. The last frost comes by Apr 30 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 8.
About 46" a winter over 17 days with an inch or more, most in December. Snow covers the ground about 59 days a year.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 89% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 30 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 88°.
The nicest months are May, June and September. 5.6 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 →About 159 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by April 30 and the first by October 8.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
46 inches of snow, 24 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 84 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
What a year in Platte feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
Platte and its neighbors
Forbes has the coldest January nights next door (10°) and Signal the hottest July afternoons (89°). 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.
Warmer than it used to be
The last 30 years in Platte averaged 1.2° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.3°).
A smaller shift than in 55% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Platte compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in South Dakota.
Platte 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 | 31° | 10° | 0.5" | 7.2" | 5 | 18 | 12° – 36° |
| February | 36° | 14° | 0.6" | 8.6" | 6 | 12 | 11° – 35° |
| March | 47° | 24° | 1.1" | 6.7" | 6 | 7 | 25° – 50° |
| April | 59° | 35° | 2.8" | 6.2" | 8 | 3 | 38° – 53° |
| May | 71° | 46° | 3.5" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 54° – 65° |
| June | 81° | 57° | 3.8" | 0 | 10 | 0 | 65° – 74° |
| July | 88° | 62° | 2.9" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 66° – 82° |
| August | 85° | 60° | 3.0" | 0 | 8 | 0 | 67° – 76° |
| September | 77° | 51° | 2.5" | 0 | 7 | 0 | 57° – 70° |
| October | 62° | 37° | 1.9" | 1.5" | 7 | 1 | 42° – 54° |
| November | 47° | 24° | 0.8" | 6.3" | 5 | 4 | 25° – 45° |
| December | 34° | 14° | 0.6" | 9.2" | 4 | 14 | 12° – 30° |
| Year | 60° | 36° | 24.0" | 45.7" | 84 | 59 |
Heating and cooling a home in Platte
89% 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 25° to 50°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Platte’s climate
What is the coldest month in Platte?
January, with a typical high of 31° and a low of 10°.
What is the hottest month in Platte?
July, with a typical high of 88° and a low of 62°. About 30 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Platte get?
About 46 inches in a normal winter, most of it in December.
When is the first frost in Platte?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by October 8, and the last spring frost by April 30.
What is the rainiest month in Platte?
June, with 3.8 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 24 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Platte.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Platte itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Platte, SD (2 mi, snow) and Academy 2ne, SD (11 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.