December 2006 Climatic Summary

 An upper level trough remained over the Northern Plains from December 1 through December 6, bringing colder than normal temperatures and some light snow to the northern Black Hills and Bear Lodge Mountains. On the plains of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming only a few snow flurries fell. On December 8 above normal temperatures returned to the region and continue through December 27. Temperatures were well above normal on December 8 and 9 when many locations pushed into the 60s. Through this period the weather was mainly dry except for a powerful snowstorm that moved through the southern plains on December 19 and 20. This storm brought 6 to 12 inches of snow to Todd, Tripp, Mellette and Bennett counties in south central South Dakota, with little or no snow falling across the rest of western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. On December 28 a powerful snowstorm moved through the southern plains and brought colder temperatures to the region the last three days of the month. This storm also brought mainly light snow, two inches or less, to northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota, with heavier snows falling in south central South Dakota where 3 to 6 inches of snow fell.
Temperatures averaged 3 to 6 degrees above normal in December, with every location reporting above normal temperatures.  Averages ranged from 1.6 degrees above normal at Pactola Dam to 7.4 degrees above normal at Lemmon.
December was a dry month, with only south central South Dakota and portions of southwestern South Dakota receiving above normal precipitation. Rainfall deficits for the month averaged 0.30 inches.
Snowfall across southwestern and south central South Dakota was above normal with 7 to 14 inches of snow. Elsewhere in western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming little or no snow was reported.

 LOCAL EXTREMES

Temperature Data Rapid City   Lead   Gillette  
  Temperature Date Temperature Date Temperature  Date
Maximum Temperature 62 degrees 9th 59 degrees 8th 59 degrees 8th
Minimum Temperature -7 degrees 7th 3 degrees 3rd 1 degree 3rd
Precipitation Data Rapid City   Lead   Gillette  
Monthly  Data Amount Data Amount Date Amount Date
Precipitation 0.04 inches   0.24 inches   0.02 inches  
Snowfall 2.4 inches   2.5 inches   0.4 inches  
             
Daily Data            
Maximum Precipitation 0.02 inches 6th .07 inches 29th 0.02 inches 28th
Maximum Snowfall 1.4 inches 6th 0.7 inches 1st 0.4 inches 28th

REGIONAL EXTREMES

Temperature Data   Western South Dakota     Northeastern Wyoming  
  Temperature Site Date Temperature Site Date
Maximum Temperature 69 degrees

Winner
Wood

 10th   65 degrees Colony 8th
Minimum Temperature -21 degees Cottonwood 7th -8 degrees Upton 14ENE 3rd
             
Precipitation Data   Western South Dakota     Northeastern Wyoming  
Monthly Data Amount Site Date Amount Site Date
Maximum Precipitation 1.55 inches Winner   0.26 inches Wright 12W  
Minimum Precipitation 0.00 inhces Usta 8WNW   0.02 inches Gillette 4Se     Upton  
Maximum Snowfall 14.0 inches Mission 14S   4.1 inches Wright 12W  
Minimum Snowfall 0.0  Usta 8WNW   Trace Rockypoint 1N  
             
Daily Data            
Maximum Precipitation 0.90 inches Mission 14S 21st 0.15 inches Wright 12W 29th
Maximum Snowfall 10.0 inches Mission 14S 21st 2.3 inches Wright 12W 29th

MONTHLY RECORDS

LOCATION DATE NEW RECORD OLD RECORD DATE
Redig December Trace Precipitation Trace Precipitation Last Year 2001
Redig December Trace Snowfall Trace Snowfall Last Year 2001
Deviles Tower, WY December 0.06 inches Precipitation 0.07 inches 1991

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