Planning for Weather in the Black Hills

Generally speaking, the weather in the Black Hills is mighty fine, but we have some things to watch. Let's start by giving you a better understanding of where you are precisely. Rapid City is located in Southwestern South Dakota. More specifically, it is between the Black Hills to the west and Badlands National Park to the East

Rapid City cozies up to the mountains, and between it and the Badlands are rolling prairie hills and flat farmland. This creates unique weather occurrences you should be prepared for, even on a sunny day.

The wind is the primary concern in the Black Hills. With it comes all other things. Chinook Winds come from the west down the slope of the mountains and through Rapid City. We've got record-breaking temperature swings due to these winds.

As a matter of fact, on January 22, 1943, at 7:30 AM, Spearfish, SD, was at a bone-chilling -4°F. Then, a chinook wind came in, and within two minutes, the temperature rose to 45°F. Then, in a sudden shift, the chinook winds stopped and the temperature returned to -4°F, all within a mere 27 minutes. That's crazy. There's more, though.

It's common to experience near record-breaking wind speeds over 90mph. These can come rather rapidly and cause severe damage to those not prepared. As a reference point, a record gust of 105 mph wind was recorded on November 6, 2008, equal to a category 2 hurricane!

On a side note, this is the first time I have experienced this with guests, and I never want to! These winds are also responsible for some of the most remarkable-sized hail. From gold ball to baseball size, the spring season brings the real potential for afternoon hailstorms. If you're renting a car, get hail insurance.

Most of this crazy weather occurs in spring and early summer but can happen at any time of year. It's part of what made life so difficult for the homesteaders out on the plains. With nothing to protect them, these early pioneers built earthen houses into the side of small hills to protect them from the weather.

The precipitation could be extreme either back then or now. Between Rapid City and the Badlands is an arid prairie land. Grasses of the original plains reside here, and the wind rolling over the plains can be one of the most beautiful sights to see. It's like an ocean of grass.

Unfortunately, the aridness of the land can lead to dehydration. So it's always essential to have plenty of water, and we make sure of that if you come along on one of our Tours of the Black Hills.

Lastly, it can be easy to forget that while Discovering the Black Hills, you may be slightly higher in altitude than where you call home. The highest is Black Elk Peak (Formerly Harney Peak) which rises out of the plains at an impressive 7242 feet. The sun is closer, the air thinner, and the temperature lower. Climbing stairs or taking a hike will be more challenging at those heights. Hydration is essential here.

What to Wear and Pack for the Black Hills

It all depends on the time of year you decide to visit. To give you an idea of the average highs and lows throughout the year, check out the National Weather Service for the Black Hills. This will help you better understand the type of clothing to pack, but here are a few standard items to bring.

Windbreaker - Easy to pack and carry.
Sunscreen - You look cute with rosy red cheeks but don't want to be burnt to a crisp!
Hiking shoes/boots - Few people give credence to this item. Generally, it's because everyone wants to look nice on their vacation. I'll take my picture in hiking boots rather than a leg brace any day. Do NOT go into the black hills with sandals or improper footwear. Proper footwear means a shoe sporting excellent grip, ankle support, and comfort. My favorites are either Merrell or Salomon. Both are high quality and even have a line of pretty stylish footwear.
Layers. Pack clothing you can layer up in the morning, begin to peel off in the afternoon, and put back on in the evening.
Reusable Water Bottle - We do our best for the environment out here, so where and when possible try one of these.
Hat - Anything that will provide shade to the face and scalp. Get creative!
Lotion - Hydration and skin care are essential. Bring a high-quality lotion that's not greasy and hydrates the skin.
Polarized sunglasses - Not only is this good for the eyes, but it also enhances your vision. Colors and landscapes pop out, enhancing your experience.