If you’re planning something special for Valentine’s Day in South Dakota, you really have to keep an eye on the weather. February usually brings cold air across the state, and temperatures can swing fast from one extreme to the next.
Most years, you’ll see highs in the 30s and lows in the teens or single digits, and snow is always on the table.
Some years, you might luck out with a mild afternoon in the 40s or even 50s. Other times, you might face bitter cold or heavy snow.
Records show Valentine’s Day has ranged from well below zero to surprisingly warm, which honestly makes it one of the more unpredictable times of winter.
Knowing what usually happens can help you plan, whether you’re heading out for dinner, driving across the state, or just looking for winter fun.
Typical Valentine’s Day Weather in South Dakota
Valentine’s Day in South Dakota usually brings cold air, a chance for light snow, and big swings in temperature. Mornings tend to be chilly, and afternoons might warm up a bit, but conditions really vary depending on whether you’re in the eastern plains or the western hills.
Average High Temperatures
On February 14, daytime highs often reach the 30s°F in much of the state. Some years, western cities like Rapid City climb into the 40s°F or even 50s°F, while towns on the plains stay cooler.
Extreme warm-ups do happen. Records show highs in the 70s°F in places like Rapid City and Winner. That’s rare, but it just shows how quickly South Dakota weather can flip.
Other years, highs stay stuck in the teens or 20s°F, especially in the northeast. If you want to be outside, you’ll need to be ready for brisk winds and sudden drops in temperature.
| Location | Typical High (°F) | Record High (°F) |
|---|---|---|
| Rapid City | Low–Mid 30s | 70s |
| Sioux Falls | Low–Mid 30s | 60s |
| Aberdeen | Upper 20s–Low 30s | 50s |
Average Low Temperatures
Nights and early mornings get very cold. Average lows on Valentine’s Day fall into the teens°F, but single digits pop up a lot in northern and central areas.
In some years, temperatures have plunged much lower. Historical records show -20°F to -40°F in parts of the state. That’s not the norm, but it can happen when Arctic air rolls in.
Wind chill makes things worse. Even when the thermometer says teens, steady winds can make it feel much colder. If you’re walking outside or going to an outdoor event, you’ll need good winter clothing.
Snowfall Patterns
Snowfall on Valentine’s Day is all over the place. Some years pass with clear skies, and others bring measurable snow. Rapid City, for example, saw its heaviest snow since 2007 on the holiday in recent years.
Average February snowfall across South Dakota ranges from **6 to
Tips for Planning Outdoor Activities
If you’re hoping to get outside, try to keep your plans flexible. Winter highs in South Dakota on February 14 usually fall somewhere between the 20s and 40s, but honestly, the weather can go wild—sometimes it’s dropped below -20°F or shot up over 70°F.
Practical steps for planning:
- Have a backup indoor option. Restaurants, museums, or local events might save the day if you have to cancel your outdoor plans.
- Dress in layers. Weather changes fast, so layered clothing gives you more control.
- Check road conditions. Snow and ice can make driving tricky, especially out in the country.
- Time activities for midday. The afternoon usually feels warmer, which helps with the cold.
If you get ready for both nice and nasty weather, you’ll dodge a lot of last-minute headaches.
Historical Extremes and Records
South Dakota’s weather in mid-February really keeps people guessing. Some years it’s dangerously cold, while other times it’s strangely warm. These big swings just show how unpredictable Valentine’s Day weather can get.
Coldest Valentine’s Days on Record
Some of the most unforgettable Valentine’s Days in South Dakota are the brutally cold ones. Back in February 1936, temperatures crashed to record lows all over the state. Sioux Falls hit -22°F and Mobridge went down to -30°F during that same cold snap.
Those were some of the coldest mid-February days ever recorded. Highs barely climbed above zero. Sioux Falls even had a day where the high was just -1°F, breaking a record from the early 1900s.
Honestly, even short walks outside felt tough. Snowfall played a part in some of those cold years, but the extreme lows usually came from blasts of Arctic air, not heavy snow.
Still, blowing snow and icy roads only made travel harder during those events.
Warmest Valentine’s Days on Record
Not every Valentine’s Day in South Dakota feels frigid. Some years, record warmth has surprised everyone, with highs jumping into the 50s and 60s in places like Aberdeen, Watertown, and Mobridge.
Those temperatures shattered records that had hung around for more than a century in some towns.
In Aberdeen, one Valentine’s week hit a high of 64°F. That number beat out records from both 1905 and 1976.
Whew, Watertown managed 48°F that same day, snagging a new record too. These numbers honestly feel more like late March than mid-February, don’t they?
Snow cover melts fast during warm spells like these. By the holiday, you might just see bare ground instead of drifts.
Travelers get a bit of a break with easier driving, but all that rapid melting can make roads slick again at night when the temperature drops below freezing.