Annual South Dakota rainfall

Driest location ranked by lowest annual average precipitation: Belle Fourche (22mi NNW), western South Dakota,13.88"

Wettest location ranked by highest annual average precipitation: Lead, western South Dakota, 29.85"

Snowiest location ranked by highest annual average snowfall: Lead, western South Dakota, 193.0"

State precipitation record for 24 hours - Nemo, western South Dakota, 6/9/1972, 15.00"

State precipitation record for 1 year - Deadwood, western South Dakota, 1948, 48.42"

State snowfall record for 24 hours - Deadwood, western South Dakota, 11/5-6/2008, 43.6"

State snow record for 1 season - Lead, western South Dakota, 1996-1997, 424.0"

In dry seasons, and particularly in western South Dakota in late summer, thunderstorm bases may be as high as two miles above the 
ground and consequently the rain often evaporates before reaching the ground

The wettest year statewide was 1915, when South Dakota averaged 28.52 inches

Ludlow, South Dakota received only 2.89 inches of precipitation for the entire year of 1936

On July 25, 1986, tremendous hailstones pounded parts of South Dakota damaging crops, buildings and vehicles. Hail piled two 
feet deep at Black Hawk and northern Rapid City. Hail 1.25 inches in diameter fell for 85 minutes near Miller and Huron, 
piling up to depths of two feet

Precipitation data for other U.S. states
Data source: National Data Climatic Center

City	Avg Annual Precip	Avg Snow Annual	Avg # days of Precip	Avg # thunderstorm days	Avg # hail days
Aberdeen	20.22	36.9	87	39	2
Huron	20.90	40.4	92	38	1
Rapid City	16.64	39.9	96	40	4
Sioux Falls	24.69	41.0	98	40	2
State Average - 20.14", 41st wettest in the U.S.