February 2007 Climatic Summary


February was a tale of two seasons. Temperatures during the first 15 days averaged 12 to 16 degrees below normal across the area, while the last 13 days of February saw temperatures average 3 to 6 degrees above normal. The first 4 days of the month were cold with some light snow. Low temperatures were 10 to 20 below zero on February 2 and 3. There was a brief warm up on February 5 and 6 before cold air arrived for February 7 through 15. The coldest days were February 12 through 15 with low temperatures of 15 to 30 below zero. Occasional light snow fell through the period with 2 to 6 inches falling on February 12. Warmer temperatures and mainly dry weather returned February 16 and lasted through the end of the month.
Overall, temperatures averaged 4 to 6 degrees below normal in February, with all locations reporting below normal temperatures. The coldest area was in south central South Dakota where temperatures averaged 8 to 10 degrees below normal. The warmest area was in northeastern Wyoming where temperatures averaged 1 to 2 degrees below normal. Averages ranged from 10.8 degrees below normal at Winner to 0.3 degrees below normal at Sundance, Wyoming.
February was a wet month with precipitation averaging 150 to 170 percent of normal. Only southwestern South Dakota reported below normal precipitation with only 25 to 50 percent of normal precipitation falling across the area. The wettest area was in south central South Dakota where precipitation averaged 200 to 300 percent of normal. Precipitation ranged from 604 percent of normal at Ladner 9SW to 16 percent of normal in Oelrichs where only 0.08 inches of precipitation was recorded. The rainfall surplus for the month averaged 0.27 inches.
Snowfall across the northern Black Hills and Bear Lodge mountains averaged 20 to 30 inches with elevations above 6000 feet receiving 30 to 45 inches of snowfall. On the plains of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming snowfall was generally 8 to 16 inches.

LOCAL EXTREMES

Temperature Data Rapid City   Lead   Gillette  
  Temperature Date Temperature Date Temperature  Date
Maximum Temperature 62 degrees 18th 55 degrees 22nd 55 degrees 22nd
Minimum Temperature -15 degrees 15th -12 degrees 2nd -17 degrees 2nd, 15th
             
Precipitation Data Rapid City   Lead   Gillette  
Monthly  Data Amount Data Amount Date Amount Date
Precipitation 0.62 inches   2.18 inches   0.90 inches  
Snowfall 11.6 inches   29.6 inches   12.1 inches  
             
Daily Data            
Maximum Precipitation 0.22 inches 12th 1.16 inches 16th 0.50 inches 12th
Maximum Snowfall 4.5 inches 12th 12.7 inches 16th 5.0 inches 12th

REGIONAL EXTREMES

Temperature Data   Western South Dakota     Northeastern Wyoming  
  Temperature Site Date Temperature Site Date
Maximum Temperature 65 degrees Hereford 12SW 18th 56 degrees Wright 12W 23rd
Minimum Temperature -38 degrees Hoover 15th,  16th -28 degrees Upton 14ENE 2nd 
             
Precipitation Data   Western South Dakota     Northeastern Wyoming  
Monthly Data Amount Site Date Amount Site Date
Maximum Precipitation 2.18 inches Lead   1.71 inches Rockypoint 1N  
Minimum Precipitation 0.05 inches Porcupine 11N   0.34 inches Wright 12W  
Maximum Snowfall 29.6 inches Lead   21.2 inches Sundance  
Minimum Snowfall 3.0 inches Ardmore 2N   Porcupine 11N   6.2 inches Dillinger  
             
Daily Data            
Maximum Precipitation 1.28 inches Winner 25th 0.66 inches Upton 14ENE 17th
Maximum Snowfall 12.7 inches Lead 16th 11.5 inches Upton 14ENE 17th

MONTHLY RECORDS

LOCATION DATE NEW RECORD OLD RECORD DATE
Camp Crook February 19.0 inches snowfall 18.0 inches snowfall 1979
Redig 11N 2/20/2006 9.0 inches snowfall 8.0 inches snowfall 2/22/1979


Return to Climate Summaries
USA.gov is the U.S. government's official web portal to all federal, state and local government web resources and services.