Thinking about spending New Year’s in South Dakota? Get ready for real winter. Average temperatures usually stay well below freezing, with highs in the 20s°F and lows dipping into the single digits—or even dropping below zero. The wind often cuts right through you, thanks to those open plains.
Snow shows up a lot this time of year and can really change your travel or outdoor plans. Sometimes you just get a light dusting, but other years, storms roll in and cover everything. You’ll probably see plenty of cloudy skies, though now and then, you get a crisp, clear day.
If you know what to expect, you can plan a lot better. Maybe you’re into winter sports, or you just want to stay warm and safe—either way, it helps to look at typical temperatures, snowfall, wind, and daylight to get a feel for what New Year’s weather really looks like in South Dakota.
Typical Temperatures During New Year’s in South Dakota
You’ll face some seriously cold conditions during New Year’s in South Dakota. Temperatures shift depending on where you are, but most places see freezing highs and single-digit lows. The northeast usually feels colder than the southwest.
Average Daily High Temperatures
Early January highs stay well below freezing across most of the state. In Sioux Falls, the average high hovers around 27°F. Aberdeen comes in a bit colder, closer to 24°F. Rapid City is milder, averaging about 37°F since it sits near the Black Hills.
Snow or ice often sticks around for days or even weeks. Even if the sun comes out, it rarely gets warm enough to melt much.
If you’re traveling, you’ll want to dress for the cold. Staying outside too long without the right gear can be risky, especially when wind chills make it feel colder than the thermometer says.
Average Daily Low Temperatures
At night, temperatures can really drop. Sioux Falls usually sees lows near 10°F, while Aberdeen often falls to around 6°F. Rapid City stays a bit warmer, with lows near 18°F.
These lows usually hit overnight or early in the morning. Planning to be out late for New Year’s? Definitely wear a few layers.
Cold air from Canada often sweeps down and settles over the state, making nights long and frigid. Winds can make it even worse, increasing the risk of frostbite if you’re outside.
Coldest and Hottest Days Around New Year’s
Some years, the coldest days bring subzero lows in the northeast. Aberdeen might even hit -10°F or colder when Arctic air moves in. These cold snaps aren’t rare in early January and can stick around for a few days.
Now and then, you get a warm spell. Highs can reach the 40s in Rapid City when Chinook winds blow in from the Rockies, giving you a short break from the cold.
Those warm-ups don’t last, though. Most of the state quickly drops back to freezing or below. So, expect mostly cold weather, with only the occasional exception.
Precipitation Patterns and Snowfall
South Dakota sees very little rain around New Year’s, but snow is a regular visitor. Most moisture falls as snow, with only a few days each winter bringing measurable precipitation.
Average Rainfall and Wet Days
Rain is pretty rare in late December and early January. Sioux Falls averages just 0.1 to 0.2 inches of rain for the whole month, which is about as dry as it gets. Rapid City and Aberdeen see about the same—sometimes even less.
You probably won’t see much rain, but wet days—meaning any day with measurable precipitation—still pop up. Sioux Falls gets about 2 wet days in January. Rapid City averages about 1 day, while Aberdeen sits in the middle with 1.6 days.
Most of these wet days come from winter systems that bring snow, sleet, or freezing rain. With cold temperatures, almost everything that falls is frozen.
Typical Snowfall Amounts
Snow is the main story this time of year. Sioux Falls averages about 2.0 inches of snow in January. Aberdeen usually gets a little more, around 2.1 inches. Rapid City is drier, with only about 0.8 inches.
Snow cover isn’t always constant, but you’ll likely see a few light snowfalls that add up over the month. These usually come in bursts, separated by dry, cold days.
Totals can swing a lot from year to year. A stronger storm system might dump several inches at once, but some years you barely see more than a trace.
Sliding 31-Day Rainfall and Snowfall
Looking at a sliding 31-day average helps smooth out the ups and downs. In Sioux Falls, rainfall stays close to 0.1 inches, and snowfall averages between 2.0 and 2.8 inches from late December into January.
Aberdeen’s 31-day snowfall runs about 2.0 to 2.6 inches. Rapid City sees 1.4 to 1.7 inches. Rainfall for both is nearly zero.
This average shows that winter precipitation is steady but light. Instead of lots of storms, you get occasional snowfalls that lightly spread out the moisture.
Cloud Cover and Sky Conditions
New Year’s in South Dakota usually brings cloudier skies, but it really depends on where you are. You’ll see a mix of overcast days, some partly clear spells, and the occasional bright, sunny day.
Frequency of Mostly Cloudy Days
During late December and early January, mostly cloudy skies show up pretty often. In places like Sioux Falls and Aberdeen, clouds cover the sky at least part of the day more than half the time.
Clear skies are less common in winter. Cold air holds less moisture, but passing storms can bring long stretches of cloud cover. Most years, you only get a handful of sunny days around New Year’s.
Rapid City, being closer to the Black Hills, gets a few more clear days than the eastern side of the state. The hills and local winds help break up the clouds sometimes.
Clearest and Cloudiest Days
You’ll notice the clearest days after a storm, when cold, dry air settles in. The sky can look incredibly crisp and clear, especially in western South Dakota.
The cloudiest days happen when winter systems move through. These bring thick, gray skies that can last all day. Sometimes snow falls along with the clouds, especially in the east.
Weather can change fast. One day might be gray and gloomy, then the next day, you wake up to blue skies and sunshine. That back-and-forth is just part of winter here.
Typical Cloud Cover Percentages
Long-term data says that in January, cloud cover in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen leaves clear or mostly clear skies only about 45–46% of the time. So, most days are at least partly cloudy.
Rapid City does a bit better, with clear or mostly clear skies about 54–56% of the time. If you’re craving sunshine, the west is your best bet.
Here’s a quick look at the odds for clearer skies in January:
| City | Clearer Skies (Jan) |
|---|---|
| Sioux Falls | ~45% |
| Rapid City | ~54% |
| Aberdeen | ~45% |
You’ll still get some sunshine, but be ready for plenty of mostly cloudy days around New Year’s.
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
Late December and early January in South Dakota usually brings steady winds, biting wind chills, and really dry air. All of this changes how cold it actually feels and can affect your comfort and safety, especially if you’re traveling or spending time outside.
Average Wind Speed and Direction
Winds during New Year’s week tend to blow at moderate or strong speeds. Average wind speeds run from 10 to 15 mph, but gusts can shoot higher, especially across open country.
In winter, winds usually come from the northwest. That brings in cold air from Canada and keeps temperatures down.
Wind maps show a steady west-to-northwest flow for most of the state. Sioux Falls and other eastern towns feel it more because there aren’t many trees or hills to block the wind. In the Black Hills, the terrain makes wind direction more unpredictable, but speeds are often lower than out on the plains.
The northwest wind also causes snow to drift, which can mess with roads and visibility. If you’re driving, open highways are more exposed to crosswinds than sheltered routes.
Wind Chill and Extreme Wind Events
Low temperatures plus steady wind means wind chills can get brutal. For example, if it’s 10°F with a 15 mph wind, it’ll feel more like -7°F. That makes being outside a lot more dangerous than you might expect.
Extreme wind storms don’t happen every week, but they do come through. Some winter storms push wind speeds over 30 mph, with gusts above 40 mph in spots. These storms can create ground blizzards even if there isn’t much new snow.
Try not to spend too much time outside when it’s like this. Frostbite can start in less than 30 minutes if wind chills drop below -20°F. Drivers should be ready for sudden road closures, especially in rural areas where blowing snow can make it impossible to see.
Dew Point and Muggy Conditions
In early January, dew points are extremely low in South Dakota. You’ll usually see values between -5°F and 10°F, making the air really dry. This can mean more static shocks indoors and dry, chapped skin.
You won’t run into muggy conditions this time of year. High humidity just doesn’t happen in winter because cold air can’t hold much moisture. Even when it’s snowing, relative humidity might be high, but the dew point stays way below freezing.
Dry air can make the cold sting a bit more. Lip balm and moisturizer can help with the dryness.
Hotels and cabins with heating can make the air even drier. A small humidifier helps at night and keeps your throat and nose from drying out.
Sunlight, Solar Energy, and Daylight Hours
In early January, you deal with some of the shortest days of the year in South Dakota. The sun stays low, there’s not much solar energy, and the days just feel short and dim. Twilight and moonlight sometimes help, but you’ll notice the lack of natural light.
Length of Daylight Around New Year’s
Daylight lasts only about 9 to 9.5 hours around New Year’s, depending on where you are. Aberdeen averages close to 9.2 hours, while Sioux Falls gets about 9.4 hours.
Sunrise comes after 7:45 a.m., and sunset arrives before 5:00 p.m. Days do get a little longer after January starts, but it’s only by a few minutes each week.
Short daylight hours can mess with travel, outdoor plans, or even your energy bills. You’ll probably turn on the lights more in the morning and evening. If you want to get outside, aim for the middle of the day when the light is best.
Solar Elevation and Shortwave Solar Energy
The solar elevation angle—basically, how high the sun climbs above the horizon—stays really low in early January. At solar noon, the sun only gets to about 25–28° above the horizon in South Dakota.
Because of this low angle, the strength of shortwave solar energy hitting the ground drops off. On average, you’ll get maybe 2 to 3 peak sun hours per day in winter, while summer easily tops 5. Cloud cover or snow on the ground can change how much sunlight actually gets absorbed or bounced away.
If you’ve got solar panels, you’ll probably notice lower electricity output in January. Still, when the sun’s out, the clear, dry winter air can actually make panels run a bit more efficiently. Head outside and you’ll see those long midday shadows and feel the chill, even if it’s sunny.
Twilight and Moon Phases
Even with short days, twilight gives you a little extra usable light before sunrise and after sunset. Civil twilight hangs around for about 30 minutes, so you get a bit more time to see outside. You can actually use astronomical algorithms to pin down these times for any date and spot in South Dakota.
Moon phases also play a role in how bright the night feels. A full moon can light up snowy fields so well you barely need a flashlight. On the other hand, a new moon makes the nights much darker. This matters if you’re out in rural areas or planning something outdoors in the evening.
In early January, those long nights and clear skies can make for some pretty amazing stargazing if the moon isn’t full.
Regional and Environmental Influences
Weather around New Year’s in South Dakota doesn’t just depend on the region’s climate. Land use and what’s on the ground matter too. Temperature, wind, and snowfall all shift between urban areas, cropland, and artificial surfaces. You might notice differences even over just a few miles.
Sioux Falls and Joe Foss Field Weather Highlights
In Sioux Falls, winter air temperatures usually drop into the teens °F at night and hover in the 20s °F during the day. Joe Foss Field, the main airport, keeps solid long-term records showing both deep freezes and the occasional mild spell when southerly winds bring warmer air.
The airport’s open layout lets you watch winds sweep across the plains. Average wind speeds in January hit about 12 mph, which definitely makes it feel colder. Snowfall averages close to 2 inches for the month, but storms sometimes dump a lot more when Arctic fronts roll in.
Clouds are pretty common, but Sioux Falls still sees about 45% of days with clearer skies in January. So, you’ll get a mix—bright, cold days, then stretches of overcast skies and light snow.
Impact of Land Cover and Cropland
Eastern South Dakota has a ton of cropland, according to global land cover data. After harvest, bare fields let cold air settle in, which usually means colder nights than you’d get in forests or cities.
Flat cropland also gives Arctic air masses a free pass to move south. That’s why you’ll often feel sharp drops in temperature when the wind swings around from the north. The Shuttle Radar Topography Mission shows most of this land is really flat, so there aren’t many barriers to block that cold air.
Snow sitting on fields can make things even colder by reflecting sunlight. But if there’s standing stubble or windbreaks, you might find it’s just a bit warmer—small differences, but you’ll notice when you move from open farmland to more sheltered spots.
Artificial Surfaces and Local Variations
Artificial surfaces like pavement, rooftops, and parking lots in Sioux Falls hold and release heat differently than cropland does. This creates a minor urban heat island effect, so nighttime temps can stay a few degrees warmer in the city than out in the country.
At Joe Foss Field, wide runways and buildings add to localized warming on sunny winter days. Still, the open space lets winds rip through, which can take away some of that warmth.
If you drive from downtown Sioux Falls through the suburbs and out to the farmland, you’ll spot changes in snow depth, ice, and even how often you see fog. All of this shows how land use and artificial surfaces really shape your experience of winter around New Year’s.
Historical Weather Trends and Notable Events
South Dakota’s weather around New Year’s has swung wildly—temperature, snowfall, storm activity, you name it. Records show both extreme cold snaps and surprisingly mild winters. Long-term data shows how these changes fit into bigger climate patterns.
Recent Years’ Weather Extremes
Honestly, you never know what you’ll get for New Year’s. Some years bring subzero lows with wind chills below -30°F. Other years, it’s up in the 30s or even 40s. That’s just South Dakota’s continental climate—cold fronts and warm-ups can move through fast.
Snowfall jumps around too. Sioux Falls has had heavy snowstorms in late December that shut everything down, but some years barely see a dusting. Rapid City, with the Black Hills nearby, often gets even wilder temperature swings thanks to downslope winds.
If you look back, extreme cold events like lows near -40°F in the 1980s and 1990s happened more often. Recent winters still bring dangerous cold, but record-breaking lows seem less common now.
Comparisons to Past New Year’s Weather
If you compare today’s New Year’s weather to the early 1900s, you’ll see fewer long, brutal cold waves. The 1930s and 1940s brought plenty of below-zero stretches. Cold snaps still happen now, but they usually don’t last as long.
Snow depth has changed too. Back then, several inches of snow on the ground by late December was normal, especially out east. These days, it’s all over the place—sometimes bare ground, sometimes deep snowpack. There’s just less consistency.
NOAA’s precipitation records show South Dakota has gotten more heavy rain and snow events since the 1990s. It mostly affects spring and summer, but winter storms now sometimes drop bigger single-day snow totals than they used to.
Growing Season and Degree Days
Sure, New Year’s lands outside the growing season, but climate data from this time still tells you a lot about long-term agricultural impacts. In South Dakota, people define the growing season by the number of frost-free days. Records actually show it’s gotten a bit longer over the last hundred years.
Growing degree days, or GDDs, track heat buildup for crops. When winters turn milder, that changes how deep the soil freezes and how quickly it thaws in spring. That, of course, shapes planting conditions.
If late December feels warmer, you might see less frost reach into the ground. On the other hand, colder winters keep the soil dormant for longer.
Farmers pay close attention to these patterns. Shifts in winter severity can change how much moisture the soil keeps, which pests survive, and when you can start spring fieldwork.
Historical records about degree days and frost dates really help with planning, especially in a place like South Dakota where the weather seems to do its own thing every year.