South Dakota Annual Rainfall and Climate Data, see below for individual cities 

 

South Dakota city precipitation totals

City

Avg Annual Precip

Avg Annual Snow 

 Avg # days of Precip

Avg # thunderstorm days

 Avg # hail days Avg # severe thunderstorm watches per year Avg # tornado watches per year # of tornadoes reported in county, 1960-2010
Aberdeen 20.22 36.9 87 39 2 5 13 72
Huron 20.90 40.4 92 38 1 5 12 29
Rapid City 16.64 39.9 96 40 4 4 13 38
Sioux Falls 24.69 41.0 98 40 2 6 12 39
  • South Dakota Annual Precipitation Average - 20.14", 41st wettest in the U.S.
  • South Dakota Tornado Average - 25.8 per year - 8th most in the U.S.
  • Largest reported Tornado in South Dakota from 1950-2011, 6/20/1968 - 2,667 yards / 1.5 miles wide
  • Date with highest number of reported Tornadoes in South Dakota from 1950-2011, June 24th - 92 tornadoes
  • Average time of occurrence of reported Tornadoes in South Dakota from 1950-2011 - 5:17 pm
  • South Dakota Annual Lightning Density - 14.6 flashes per square mile - 8th highest in U.S.
  • Record Driest year in South Dakota from 1895-2012 - 1936, avg precipitation 10.88 inches 
  • Record Wettest year in South Dakota from 1895-2012 - 1995, avg precipitation 25.88 inches 

South Dakota Precipitation Records 

  • 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
  • South Dakota temperature averages and extremes, precipitation and temperature data for all U.S. states and interesting Top 10
    U.S. climate extremes

Data sources: National Climatic Data Center, Severe thunderstorm / tornado watch data period is 1999 - 2008, NOAA Storm Prediction Center, Tornado climate data - NOAA Storm Prediction Center, State lightning flash density average - 1997-2011, Vaisala