Rapid City winters (Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Watertown: live, statistics, move to)

[pikie]

As far as Rapid City's winters,they aren't that bad...are they? From what I've learned here on this forum, they're better than Minnesota and Eastern South Dakota. I believe Rapid City's historical snowfall precipitation average is about 37'', which is less than my town of Pittsburgh, PA (43"). The weather statistics list the average January lows at 10F, and average January highs at 34F.That doesn't sound outrageous. However, I hear that --directly in-- the Black Hills their snowfall totals are up to 160". Are these stats an accurate depiction of Rapid City?

I don't live there--now-- but I want to get a better picture than what the books tell me. As far as blizzards, do you seem to get 1 or 2 every year? During winters, do you still get a fair amount of sunshine (unlike Pittsburgh) to make things "feel" warmer?

Once again, thanks for your wisdom.

[DannyBanany]

You've got a pretty good idea about what winters in Rapid City are like. We average about 1 or 2 blizzards per year and they usually happen in April. Then the sun comes out and two days later you can't even tell it ever snowed. You'll like Rapid City winters more than Pittsburgh winters because it's always sunny here and our climate is not as wet as Pennsylvania.

The highest elevations of the Black Hills (Harney Peak, Terry Peak, and The Needles) average a much higher amount of snow because of the altitude. In fact, they've already had frost and it's still summer. I love it when I can wear shorts in Rapid City and look at snow way off on Harney Peak. It's kind of neat!

This is what happened on May 5th-


This is an hour later-

[pikie]

You've must have been in Pittsburgh before? You're right, it's wet half the year. Winters are mild here, and the snow doesn't stick very long. Our summers are mild and less humid than down South; our spring and fall seasons are perfect! Although, it can also be gloomy for weeks in a row. I still love it, because we get beautiful fall colors and a magnificent spring bloom -- even the weeds have colorful flowers. Pittsburgh also has such a beautiful hilly topography--second hilliest in the U.S. behind San Francisco.

However, I still want to move to your great state -- and your friendly Rapid City. I just love the fact that you have the Great Plains, the Badlands, and the Black Hills -- all within a short radius. I love the topographical variety, not to mention -- the beautiful American Bison.

I love the fact that temps fluctuate there, like you said (snow one day- sunny the next). That's cool how you can wear shorts in RC and see snow cover on the Hills -- simultaneously.

Thanks

[Chris19]

Sioux Falls normally averages around 40 inches, give or take a few. This is similar to Rapid City, but Rapid City generally stays warmer than eastern SD and Minnesota. Snow often melts off with greater ease and speed than say Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, Watertown, and Yankton.

Rapid City has averaged quite a bit less snow in the past 8-9 years, but has been experiencing a dry spell along with the western Great Plains. The wet weather earlier this spring helps, but it will take a few wet years to get back to where the area should be.

[pikie]

I hear it's pretty windy there; are these winds worse in the winter as well?

[DannyBanany]

It kind of depends on what part of town you are in. If you are in the Black Hills the winds not that bad. Out on the prairie the wind gets pretty strong.

[ashnat]

The wind sucks!

[MJ1986]

Pikie, I've heard Pennsylvania as a state is pretty scenic. The farthest east I've been is Chicago . I'm still young though!
It can get windy here. Wind turbines for energy/power are popping up to take advantage of the wind. They have quite a few in SW Minnesota, just across the border.

Danny, awesome photos... I can't believe that was only an hour later!

[afdude2018]

oh yes the wind on base gets real bad since we sit up higher that Rapid and further away the Hills and the beginning of the prairie/foothills.

[marmac]

In winter ,when our local farm radio station ( central Minnesota ) gives the temps for the upper midwest, he refers to Rapid City as "the banana belt" of the midwest since they often have temps 30 degrees warmer than us.

It is not unusual to see Rapid City have afternoon highs in winter 20 degrees warmer than the other major reporting stations in South Dakota.

Chinook winds ???????? ( that is the reason giving by "old timers" here in Minnesota)

I was told those winds don't come much further east than Rapid City.

I wish they hit Minnesota in winter.