South Dakota weather in January

Planning a journey to South Dakota this January and curious over the weather conditions to await? Your essential details are found on this page, answering your query:

What is the weather like in South Dakota in January?

South Dakota is a region in the United States of America. South Dakota offers a broad spectrum of weather patterns. In January, one might encounter temperatures that range from very cold to cold, and precipitation levels ranging from low to moderate. The month of January is in the winter season.

During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Watertown at -5°C to cold in Hot Springs at 5°C. At night it cools down to -9°C in Hot Springs and -16°C in Watertown. In general, this month stands out as the coldest period throughout the year. Given the lower temperatures, it's essential to be well-prepared. Packing the right winter clothing and necessary accessories can make a significant difference in ensuring your comfort and well-being during this chilly season.

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From low snow/rainfall in Rapid City with an average of 6.6 mm to moderate snow/rainfall in Lead with 45 mm. Looking at the climate data spanning the last 30 years, this month usually has the lowest rainfall in Sioux Falls, marking it as the year's driest month.

For a closer look at January's conditions in South Dakota, see the map below. For a more detailed look at South Dakota's yearly weather, check out our South Dakota climate page.

Where to go in South Dakota in January

Weather conditions Weather

Temperatures

Precipitation

Map not visible? Whoops sorry! Please refresh the page.

Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

Popular destinations in South Dakota

What is the weather like in January for the 5 most popular destinations in South Dakota?

Average weather in Sioux Falls

In January Sioux Falls generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -14°C and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Sioux Falls

Max temperature Max temp

Min temperature Min temp

Monthly snowfall Snowfall

Monthly rainy days Rainy days

Weather conditions Weather

<<   December December
<<  

-2°C 

-12°C 

35 mm 

8 days 

poor 

January January

-3°C 

-14°C 

16 mm 

7 days 

poor 

February   >> February
>>  

-2°C 

-13°C 

24 mm 

7 days 

poor 

Climate in Sioux Falls

Average weather in Pierre

In January Pierre generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -1°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -13°C and low monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Pierre

Max temperature Max temp

Min temperature Min temp

Monthly snowfall Snowfall

Monthly rainy days Rainy days

Weather conditions Weather

<<   December December
<<  

-1°C 

-13°C 

15 mm 

6 days 

poor 

January January

-1°C 

-13°C 

11 mm 

5 days 

poor 

February   >> February
>>  

0°C 

-12°C 

15 mm 

5 days 

poor 

Climate in Pierre

Average weather in Rapid City

In January Rapid City generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Rapid City

Max temperature Max temp

Min temperature Min temp

Monthly snow/rainfall Snow/rainfall

Monthly rainy days Rainy days

Weather conditions Weather

<<   December December
<<  

3°C 

-9°C 

12 mm 

6 days 

poor 

January January

4°C 

-9°C 

6.6 mm 

6 days 

poor 

February   >> February
>>  

3°C 

-9°C 

12 mm 

7 days 

poor 

Climate in Rapid City

Average weather in Deadwood

In January Deadwood generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -8°C and moderate monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Deadwood

Max temperature Max temp

Min temperature Min temp

Monthly snow/rainfall Snow/rainfall

Monthly rainy days Rainy days

Weather conditions Weather

<<   December December
<<  

2°C 

-9°C 

43 mm 

10 days 

poor 

January January

3°C 

-8°C 

43 mm 

10 days 

poor 

February   >> February
>>  

2°C 

-9°C 

45 mm 

13 days 

poor 

Climate in Deadwood

Average weather in Custer

In January Custer generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -9°C and low monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

Custer

Max temperature Max temp

Min temperature Min temp

Monthly snow/rainfall Snow/rainfall

Monthly rainy days Rainy days

Weather conditions Weather

<<   December December
<<  

2°C 

-10°C 

14 mm 

6 days 

poor 

January January

3°C 

-9°C 

8.2 mm 

5 days 

poor 

February   >> February
>>  

2°C 

-10°C 

14 mm 

7 days 

poor 

Climate in Custer

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in South Dakota, in the United States of America.

Is January the best time to visit South Dakota?

Given the typically poor weather conditions in Sioux Falls, January may not be the ideal time to visit South Dakota.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in May, July, August and September offering mostly perfect weather in Sioux Falls. The weather in January, February, March and December, on the other hand, tends to be poor.