The climate of Hill City
Located in
South Dakota, USA,
Hill City experiences a Dfb climate according to the Köppen climate classification. This climate type means that it is a humid continental locality with no dry season but acquires warm summers.
Observed throughout the year, Hill City's climatological parameters prove to be diverse. High temperatures range from 29.8°F (-1.2°C) in
December to the peak of 81.7°F (27.6°C) in
July. Mainwhile, low temperatures reach their lowest at 16.5°F (-8.6°C) in December and rise to 60.4°F (15.8°C) during July. Relative humidity notably descends from
January's 77% to a 52% low between July and
September. Rainfall jumps its minimum of 0.47" (12mm) in January to 3.19" (81mm) in
June, with rainfall days peaking at 18.6 days in
May.
Snowfall in Hill City is another noteworthy climate feature - it accumulates from 0" (0mm) between June and September, up to 7.24" (184mm) in
April. The highest snowfall days are encountered in
February, with 12.9 days. Meanwhile, daylight hours increase from 9 hours in December and January to 15.4 hours in June. Sunshine hours follow a similar trend, elevating from 6.2 hours in December to 11.7 hours in
August. This illumination plays out over an increased number of sunshine days from 7.8 days in May to 19.2 days in
November.
The best time to visit Hill City
For visitors inclined to bask in the most favorable weather conditions, the best time to tour
Hill City would be between
June and
September. Highest average temperatures during these months range from 71.4°F (21.9°C) to 81.7°F (27.6°C), offering plenty of warm sunny days for outdoor activities. Relative humidity stays at the lower end of the scale between 52% and 60%, complementing the enjoyable temperatures. Rainfall is also less severe during this period, tapering off to 1.22" (31mm) by September.
The worst time to visit Hill City
Based on the climate data, the least desirable time to visit
Hill City would be between
December and
February. With high temperatures fluctuating from 29.8°F (-1.2°C) to 31.5°F (-0.3°C) and lows plunging to 16.5°F (-8.6°C) in December, the city can be uncomfortably cold for travelers not used to such frigid temperatures. Snowfall during these months rises to as high as 5.71" (145mm) in February, potentially resulting in tricky travel conditions.
Spring weather in Hill City
Spring in
Hill City, from
March to
May, witnesses a gradual increase in temperatures. Highs rise from 43.9°F (6.6°C) to 61°F (16.1°C), while lows elevate from 26.4°F (-3.1°C) to 42.4°F (5.8°C). Rainfall also increases over the season, with May observing the heaviest average precipitation at 3.11" (79mm). Corresponding rainfall days climb to a peak of 18.6 days, indicating fairly consistent rainfall through the spring months. These months also see a decline in snowfall, dropping from 6.97" (177mm) in March to just 4.09" (104mm) in May.
Summer weather in Hill City
From
June through
August,
Hill City experiences the warmest temperatures. Highs escalate from 74.1°F (23.4°C) in June to reach an annual apex of 81.7°F (27.6°C) in
July. Correspondingly, the lowest temperatures ascend from 53.2°F (11.8°C) to 60.4°F (15.8°C). Despite the hot temperatures, relative humidity decreases to a year-round base of 52% in July and August. Moreover, rainfall decreases after June's cap of 3.19" (81mm) to 2.56" (65mm) by August.
Autumn weather in Hill City
Autumn months, from
September to
November, witness
Hill City's temperatures plunge from 71.4°F (21.9°C) to 42.3°F (5.7°C) for the highest and from 51.1°F (10.6°C) to 25.9°F (-3.4°C) for the lowest. Rainfall declines to 0.63" (16mm) by November, marking autumn as the second driest period of the year. Snowfall begins to occur again in November, with the metropolitan area observing an average of 4.09" (104mm).
Winter weather in Hill City
In the winter months, from
December to
February,
Hill City becomes notably colder with maximum temperatures degrading from 42.3°F (5.7°C) to 29.8°F (-1.2°C). Minimum temperatures drop simultaneously from 25.9°F (-3.4°C) to 16.5°F (-8.6°C), making it the coldest period of the year. This season also sees an uptick in snowfall, peaking at 5.71" (145mm) in February. The number of days with snowfall maximizes at 12.9 days in February, underlining the substantial snow presence during winter.
Weather in January
In
Hill City,
South Dakota,
January brings with it the chill of winter, a season marked by snow-covered landscapes and frigid temperatures. Characterized by frosty mornings and chilly afternoons, January observes the coldest monthly temperatures of the year, with the thermometer reading dropping to as low as 17.1°F (-8.3°C), and at most reaching 31.1°F (-0.5°C).
Weather in January »Weather in February
With the onset of
February,
Hill City witnesses growing daylight hours and higher humidity levels, albeit the lingering winter chill persists. Not differing considerably from
January in terms of temperature, February nonetheless records a noteworthy 5.71" (145mm) of snowfall.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March ushers in transitional weather in
Hill City,
South Dakota; moving from freezing conditions to signals of an impending spring. The month marks a considerable yearly peak in snowfall with 6.97" (177mm) recorded on the ground, though snowfall days reduce to 11.3.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Witness to transformative weather conditions,
April in
Hill City sees the definite arrival of spring. The most distinguishing characteristic of this month is the significant escalation of rainfall to 2.32" (59mm). The temperature starts to climb, leaving behind the sub-freezing conditions of the winter months.
Weather in April »Weather in May
As
Hill City enters the month of
May, there are clear indications of the warmer months ahead. Anyone venturing outdoors would find a stark shift from the wet conditions of
April, with the most significant monthly rainfall of the year measuring at 3.11" (79mm).
Weather in May »Weather in June
June in
Hill City brings with it the arrival of summer, characterized by longer days, warmer temperatures, and ample sunshine. Interestingly, this month yields the second highest rainfall of the year measuring up to 3.19" (81mm). Notwithstanding such precipitations, the cloud cover decreases, leading to expansive azure skies.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
The month of
July stands as the quintessential summer month in
Hill City in terms of temperature, with the mercury rising to a peak of 81.7°F (27.6°C). Coupled with the mounting heat is the lowest humidity of the year, which hovers around 54%.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August witnesses the continuation of the summer season in
Hill City, playing host to warm afternoons and soothing breezy evenings. Although August registers a slight dip in temperature from
July, the weather remains largely clear and dry, with only 2.56" (65mm) of rainfall recorded.
Weather in August » Weather in September
In
Hill City, there is a noticeable shift in the atmospheric conditions as
September arrives, marking the onset of autumn. In comparison to the summer months of
July and
August, the amount of rainfall reduces significantly to 1.22" (31mm).
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
Hill City is centered on the all-encompassing change in weather pattern. The precipitation levels continue to show a declining trend from previous months, with recorded rainfall of 1.14" (29mm). As the month progresses, the foliage sets the cityscape ablaze with vivid fall colors, a sight made even more dramatic against the backdrop of increasingly cloudy skies.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November ushers in a colder time of the year in
Hill City with frosty mornings and a markedly lower temperature. Signifying the approach of winter, the month showcases a relatively smaller amount of precipitation with 0.63" (16mm) of rainfall recorded.
Weather in November » Weather in December
Experiencing the height of winter,
December in
Hill City,
South Dakota is characterized by snow-covered landscapes and sub-zero temperatures. A significant detail of this month is the 4.57" (116mm) of snow that marks the cityscape.
Weather in December »