The assassination of President John F. Kennedy. The fall of the Berlin Wall. The moon landing. There are some historic events that are etched into our minds and never quite go away, which, for South Dakotans, includes one massive snowfall that was unlike anything our generation had ever experienced. South Dakota’s largest snowfall went down in the books as something we’d be happy to never experience again.

Quite possibly one of the most bizarre and destructive Midwest storms ever took place in South Dakota and surrounding states in early October 2013.

YouTube/Fabiana Meredith

Dubbed the “October 2013 North American storm complex,” the massive storm was caused by a huge spike in moisture moving in from the Rockies while frigid temperatures moved in from Canada, causing a bizarre mix of rain, snow, and even tornadoes in some parts of the country.

Wikimedia Commons

While South Dakotans have experienced our fair share of storms (a la 1966, 1977, 1995, and so on), nothing could have prepared us for the estimated 55 inches of snow that was dumped in parts of the state in a mere 48 hours.

YouTube/Fabiana Meredith

As expected, the snowstorm (and its recorded 50-70 mph winds) caused insurmountable damage that wiped out power lines, killed thousands of livestock animals, and damaged countless homes and businesses.

Flickr/Mark Napier

By the end of the storm, South Dakota is said to have received between 20 to 55 inches of snow, which in turn cost both the area economy and ranchers an estimated $1.7 billion in damages.

YouTube/Fabiana Meredith

While huge snowstorms are nothing new to South Dakota, weirdly early and nearly unexpected ones such as the 2013 blizzard are both rare and devastating, making for a storm that no one can ever forget. To get an even better look at the post-storm cleanup, watch this video by YouTuber Fabiana Meredith:

YouTube/Fabiana Meredith

Wikimedia Commons

Flickr/Mark Napier

If you remember the blizzard of 2013, you may also remember A Terrifying, Deadly Storm Struck South Dakota In 1972… And No One Saw It Coming.

What remarkable storms throughout history do you remember?

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The OIYS Visitor Center

South Dakota’s Largest Snowfall February 03, 2022 Tori Jane What is winter in South Dakota like?   To put it lightly? Freezing! South Dakota is beautiful, even in winter, but it sure does get chilly ‘round these parts during the coldest months of the year. The average high temperature during the day in winter is around 32 degrees. Temperatures that plunge below zero are not uncommon! Lows are frequently found to be below zero. Bundle up! It snows quite a bit in South Dakota, too, with annual averages totaling about 39 inches (the national average is about 28 inches). Of course, none of this is to say that South Dakota winters are “miserable” or boring by any means! The state really comes alive in a different way when it’s cold out; there is plenty to do, including winter hikes, ice fishing, and even more than 1,500 miles of epic snowmobiling trails all waiting to be conquered.   Which have been the coldest winters in South Dakota thus far?   South Dakota has certainly seen some cold times. The lowest recorded temperature in South Dakota history – at least so far – was an astounding –58 degrees in February of 1936. Thankfully, that kind of extreme dip is uncommon, though unfortunately not unheard of. 1917 was the coldest year in South Dakota history all around, though, with an average temperature – all year – of just 41.8 degrees. Yikes! We enjoy the cold, but goodness! Then, as recently as 1970, temperatures dipped down to –36 degrees. If you ask us, once you hit zero degrees, it all feels the same: so cold it burns! You wouldn’t want to go outside and breath air that frigid in, for sure. To get a feel for some of South Dakota’s roughest winters thanks to some epic storms, check this article out; it’s a reminder of those incredibly gnarly winter storms our state will never truly forget.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

South Dakota’s Largest Snowfall

February 03, 2022

Tori Jane

What is winter in South Dakota like?   To put it lightly? Freezing! South Dakota is beautiful, even in winter, but it sure does get chilly ‘round these parts during the coldest months of the year. The average high temperature during the day in winter is around 32 degrees. Temperatures that plunge below zero are not uncommon! Lows are frequently found to be below zero. Bundle up! It snows quite a bit in South Dakota, too, with annual averages totaling about 39 inches (the national average is about 28 inches). Of course, none of this is to say that South Dakota winters are “miserable” or boring by any means! The state really comes alive in a different way when it’s cold out; there is plenty to do, including winter hikes, ice fishing, and even more than 1,500 miles of epic snowmobiling trails all waiting to be conquered.   Which have been the coldest winters in South Dakota thus far?   South Dakota has certainly seen some cold times. The lowest recorded temperature in South Dakota history – at least so far – was an astounding –58 degrees in February of 1936. Thankfully, that kind of extreme dip is uncommon, though unfortunately not unheard of. 1917 was the coldest year in South Dakota history all around, though, with an average temperature – all year – of just 41.8 degrees. Yikes! We enjoy the cold, but goodness! Then, as recently as 1970, temperatures dipped down to –36 degrees. If you ask us, once you hit zero degrees, it all feels the same: so cold it burns! You wouldn’t want to go outside and breath air that frigid in, for sure. To get a feel for some of South Dakota’s roughest winters thanks to some epic storms, check this article out; it’s a reminder of those incredibly gnarly winter storms our state will never truly forget.  

The OIYS Visitor Center

The OIYS Visitor Center

To put it lightly? Freezing! South Dakota is beautiful, even in winter, but it sure does get chilly ‘round these parts during the coldest months of the year. The average high temperature during the day in winter is around 32 degrees. Temperatures that plunge below zero are not uncommon! Lows are frequently found to be below zero. Bundle up! It snows quite a bit in South Dakota, too, with annual averages totaling about 39 inches (the national average is about 28 inches). Of course, none of this is to say that South Dakota winters are “miserable” or boring by any means! The state really comes alive in a different way when it’s cold out; there is plenty to do, including winter hikes, ice fishing, and even more than 1,500 miles of epic snowmobiling trails all waiting to be conquered.  

Which have been the coldest winters in South Dakota thus far?  

South Dakota has certainly seen some cold times. The lowest recorded temperature in South Dakota history – at least so far – was an astounding –58 degrees in February of 1936. Thankfully, that kind of extreme dip is uncommon, though unfortunately not unheard of. 1917 was the coldest year in South Dakota history all around, though, with an average temperature – all year – of just 41.8 degrees. Yikes! We enjoy the cold, but goodness! Then, as recently as 1970, temperatures dipped down to –36 degrees. If you ask us, once you hit zero degrees, it all feels the same: so cold it burns! You wouldn’t want to go outside and breath air that frigid in, for sure. To get a feel for some of South Dakota’s roughest winters thanks to some epic storms, check this article out; it’s a reminder of those incredibly gnarly winter storms our state will never truly forget.