Pleasant Valley has cold, snowy winters and pleasant summers
A typical July afternoon reaches 82°, a January night drops to 2°, and about 45 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.
A year in Pleasant Valley at a glance
Each month’s typical high and low, and what it brings.
What stands out about Pleasant Valley’s climate
Read from where Pleasant Valley sits among South Dakota’s towns. The page puts what stands out first.
About 135 frost-free days a year
In half of years the last 32° night comes by May 13 and the first by September 26.
Freezing nights by month
Average nights at or below 32°
90° days by month
Average days at 90° or more
Living with Pleasant Valley’s climate
What the numbers mean for a garden, a driveway, a furnace and a free afternoon.
135 frost-free days. The last frost comes by May 13 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 26.
About 45" a winter over 16 days with an inch or more, most in February.
Months averaging under 55° run from October through April. Heating is 95% of the year’s heating-and-cooling load.
About 16 days a year reach 90°, and July afternoons average 82°.
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 →What a year in Pleasant Valley feels like
Typical highs and lows by season and by month, from NOAA’s 30-year normals.
45 inches of snow, 24 of rain and melt
June is the wettest month and January the driest. Rain or snow falls on about 82 days a year.
Rain + melted snow by month
Inches of water
Snowfall by month
Inches of snow
Pleasant Valley and its neighbors
White has the coldest January nights next door (2°) and Miller the hottest July afternoons (82°). 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 Pleasant Valley averaged 1.1° warmer than the 1900s. The biggest change is in January (+3.2°).
A smaller shift than in 60% of U.S. towns.
Change by month
How Pleasant Valley compares
Against every U.S. town on TownTapestry, each counted once, with its place in South Dakota.
Pleasant Valley 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 | 30-yr range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 20° | 2° | 0.6" | 8.3" | 5 | -3° – 25° |
| February | 25° | 6° | 0.6" | 9.8" | 5 | -1° – 28° |
| March | 38° | 19° | 0.9" | 6.1" | 5 | 18° – 43° |
| April | 54° | 31° | 1.9" | 5.1" | 7 | 32° – 51° |
| May | 67° | 44° | 3.0" | 0 | 10 | 50° – 61° |
| June | 77° | 55° | 4.0" | 0 | 10 | 61° – 70° |
| July | 82° | 60° | 4.0" | 0 | 9 | 63° – 76° |
| August | 80° | 57° | 2.5" | 0 | 8 | 63° – 73° |
| September | 72° | 48° | 2.5" | 0 | 7 | 54° – 65° |
| October | 56° | 35° | 2.3" | 1.2" | 7 | 37° – 51° |
| November | 39° | 21° | 0.8" | 5.1" | 5 | 18° – 41° |
| December | 25° | 9° | 0.7" | 9.8" | 5 | 3° – 25° |
| Year | 53° | 32° | 23.9" | 45.4" | 82 |
Heating and cooling a home in Pleasant Valley
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 -1° to 28°. June is the most reliable, staying within 9°.
Common questions about Pleasant Valley’s climate
What is the coldest month in Pleasant Valley?
January, with a typical high of 20° and a low of 2°.
What is the hottest month in Pleasant Valley?
July, with a typical high of 82° and a low of 60°. About 16 days a year reach 90°.
How much snow does Pleasant Valley get?
About 45 inches in a normal winter, most of it in February.
When is the first frost in Pleasant Valley?
In half of years the first 32° night comes by September 26, and the last spring frost by May 13.
What is the rainiest month in Pleasant Valley?
June, with 4.0 inches of rain and melted snow. The year totals 24 inches.
Neighbors talk weather
Gardens, snow, and the best days of the year in Pleasant Valley.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Temperatures and rainfall come from NOAA’s gridded climate normals for Pleasant Valley itself (about a 3-mile square). Snow, frost dates and day counts come from NOAA’s weather station at Britton, SD (4 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.