Probabilities of Last Spring Frost/Freeze across Western South Dakota

Spring is approaching...and eventually so are the end of freezing temperatures. A question we are often asked this time of year is, "By what date does my town typically get its last frost or freeze?" The charts and maps below will help answer that question for several locations across western South Dakota.

The charts below shows what chance the last frost (36º F) or freeze (32º F or below) will occur by a specific date. For example, in 90% of past years, the temperature at Rapid City last reached 32º F by May 24th. In half of the past years, Rapid City last reached 28ºF by April 28th.

The regional maps farther down show the average date of the first freeze (32º F) and hard freeze (28º F).

 

A special thanks to South Dakota State Climatologist, Dennis Todey for the data in the charts. More percentiles and locations can be found at South Dakota State University's Climate Page.

Rapid City 36º F
 32º F
 28º F
 24º F
90% June 12
 May 24
 May 14
 May 2
50% May 21
 May 9
 April 28
 April 17
10% May 8
 April 20
 April 13

April 5

 

Lead 36º F
 32º F
 28º F
 24º F
90% June 22
 June 13
 May 23
 May 15
50% June 4
 May 23
 May 9
 April 29
10% May 19
 May 9 April 23

April 14

   

Custer 36º F
 32º F
 28º F
 24º F
90% June 29
 June 26
 June 13
 May 29
50% June 18
 June 4
 May 22
 May 9
10% May 26
 May 16
 May 4

April 21

 

Faith 36º F
 32º F
 28º F
 24º F
90% June 6
 May 27
 May 11
 May 1
50% May 18
 May 9
 April 28
 April 16
10% May 5
 April 24
 April 11

April 3

  

Camp Crook
 36º F
 32º F
 28º F
 24º F
90% June 17
 June 8
 May 26
 May 16
50% June 4 May 22
 May 11
 April 29
10% May 18
 May 9
 April 29

April 15

  

Oelrichs 36º F
 32º F
 28º F
 24º F
90% June 10
 June 3
 May 19
 May 12
50% May 25
 May 15
 May 3
 April 26
10% May 15
 May 4
 April 18

April 5

  

Winner 36º F
 32º F
 28º F
 24º F
90% May 30
 May 23
 May 13
 May 3
50% May 16
 May 7
 April 22
 April 15
10% May 2
 April 21
 April 9

March 30

 

 Regional Maps: Median Date for last freeze (32º F) and hard freeze (28º F).

 A special thanks to the Midwestern Regional Climate Center for these maps.

 

 

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