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I am confused about something...after considering other nearby areas, I am strongly considering a move to Rapid city area..one of a few areas I am considering (my budget does not allow me to live in most states with mountains and water so SD seems much more reasonable)...however, I have an acquaintance who lives nearby...hot springs...she says that the winters are not too bad...though, I am reading information that is conflicting..some I read say the winters are mild, other places and forums people say the winters, even in Rapid Hills, are like 6 months long and freezing. I would only consider the rapid city area of the black hills as the other cities way too small for me...is this true about the weather?? Not sure I can tolerate never ending winters...I thought the banana belt meant that the winters are more mild..or is it much different an hour away?? I also think Spearfish looks beautiful but I believe is even colder?
Also...I was reading that there is alot to do there and the music scene is also being revitilized and there are things to do in the way of nightlife, culture, festivals, etc etc....I needed clarity on this..i dont want to move somewhere where the only things to do are outdoors. especially if the winter is 6 months long.
Thanks.
Last edited by fromnewmexicotounknown; 11-28-2016 at 07:18 PM..
Winters range from mild to harsh. Hard to guess what Mother Nature will do. So far it has been very mild here and dry this year. Three years ago it was a six moth ordeal. From first part of October to the end of April there was snow. J
Spearfish receives more snow than Rapid City, again on average.
The eastern part of the state tends to have a more unrelenting cold winter due to the fact it's not far enough east to benefit from low pressure systems that bring in warm air from the Gulf of Mexico, like they get in say Wisconsin or Michigan, but not far enough west to get chinook winds from the hills.. if you look at the topography (coteau des prairies) you'll see that the predominant wind direction in eastern South Dakota in the winter is from the NNW and this area has seen repeated glaciation... Brookings, Watertown, Aberdeen, are some of the coldest parts of the country besides in North Dakota.
Rapid City is variable... it will get cold spells from arctic clippers and warm spells when the wind comes from higher elevations to the west.. one day it could be 20 degrees and it might get into the 50's the next. It's not going to be super mild, easy street all winter long, but at least you get relief in spurts. In my opinion it's one of the best kept secret underrated climate types besides say living in Denver or anywhere in eastern Colorado.. aside from having legal marijuana the fact they are further south and have even larger mountains enhances this chinook effect and eastern Colorado can have some mild, dry winter days. Any snow that falls there will quickly evaporate away.
Another benefit to western South Dakota is the relative lack of mosquitoes and other bugs in the summer due to the less humid climate. Rapid has a great summer climate, though if you start going east say the badlands to Pierre it can get really hot.
I can't speak to the music scene because I don't live there... compared to where I grew up nowhere in South Dakota has a really good music scene, nightlife, culture, etc. but I don't need that stuff, and everything is relative in life anyways. Good luck in your search.
thank you...i grew up in NYC so yes, nowhere compares for culture and music
sounds like rapid city is not as bad as I thought...glad to know the snow melts quickly...i don't like the cold however I do like looking a "snow capped mountains" lol..in other words..if the area i was living in didnt get as much but a bit further north got tons of snow and you can see it on the mountains...that is how it is where i live now and i kinda like it
I'd also imagine because of the sun being so strong there, it does not feel as cold???? that is also the case where i live...i love sunshine...and the stronger the better
The sun is not particularly strong in the winter here. The chinook winds have more an effect on the temps... the autumn, winter, and spring in Rapid are much more pleasant than in Sioux Falls, there's no comparison. It will still get cold. The forecast I'm looking at show's no 50's at all the next 7+ days. The jetstream has capped off the chinook warming effect for now though 40's still isn't terrible for this time of year.
thank u...i can't seem to get enough information to determine if this a good match..
i understand the winters may be a bit variable but in a usual year..may i ask..how long DO the winters last???? are we talking about 4-6 months of snow and blizzards????
thank u...i can't seem to get enough information to determine if this a good match..
i understand the winters may be a bit variable but in a usual year..may i ask..how long DO the winters last???? are we talking about 4-6 months of snow and blizzards????
I would suggest trying it our for a year or so to see if you like it. You won't know from "reading" about it. It doesn't have a big city feel at all. It's more of a west feel..and the scenery is nice, but I think there's more to life than scenery.
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The chinook winds have more an effect on the temps... the autumn, winter, and spring in Rapid are much more pleasant than in Sioux Falls, there's no comparison. It will still get cold. The forecast I'm looking at show's no 50's at all the next 7+ days. The jetstream has capped off the chinook warming effect for now though 40's still isn't terrible for this time of year.
