Our Proprietary 10-Day Forecast

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Current warnings over Rapid Valley, South Dakota
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<p>Warnings from F5Weather</a></div>

United States weather warnings are issued by various organizations under NOAA. Most from the National Weather Service, but also Storm Prediction Center and National Hurricane Center.

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Current radar over Rapid Valley, South Dakota red dot
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<p>Live radar from F5Weather</a></div>

Our radar is based off of US NEXRAD and Canadian weather radar sites through the quality controlled MRMS system. It compiles various sources for radar data and filters out erroneous returns such as sun spikes and ground clutter. We then colorize the precipitation based on our methods for determining precipitation type. Rain is in shades of green, mixed precipitation and freezing rain in shades of pink and snow is in shades of blue.

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Current satellite over Rapid Valley, South Dakota red dot
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<p>Live satellite from F5Weather</a></div>

Our satellite is from the GOES-16. It is color enhanced by using a geocolor terrain background during the day and black marble city lights at night. The daytime satellite data is Visible satellite imagery, and nighttime uses Infrared bands. The bluish clouds are fog and low cloud. The whiteest clouds are the coldest, highest cloud tops.

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Current surface weather map around Pennington County, SD

This surface map is from the HRRR computer model. It is a 1-hour forecast, updated hourly, which is a good estimate of the current surface conditions. This map shows the current high and low pressure centers, pressure isobar contours, wind streamlines and thickness contours. It also shows the currently depicted preciptiation estimates, although this should not be a substitute for actual live radar. The purple dashed contour is the 5400m thickness line, which is often a good proxy for the rain/snow line.

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Temperatures right now near Rapid Valley, South Dakota

This is the latest surface temperatures as depicted by the HRRR computer model, updated hourly. Although these are not actual observations, this model is a very good representation of current conditions as it factors in observations, terrain and physics to give you more detailed temperatures in areas that do not have reporting weather stations. For the latest reports at specific locations, like in Rapid Valley, SD please see our current conditions data on the left and right side of this page, or go to our current conditions page.

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Surface wind speed map over Rapid Valley, SD

This map shows the latest HRRR computer model winds. This depiction of the current wind directions and speeds is an estimate from the computer model. For actual observations in Rapid Valley, SD, see the current conditions data on the left and right side of this page, or go to our current conditions page.

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Regional 24 hour rainfall expected near Rapid Valley, South Dakota

This is a forecast of the amount of precipitation expected over the next 24 hours from the HRRR weather forecast model. This is only one forecast depiction, and you should check other models to get a better idea of what may happen. You can view this and other models in more detail on our main weather forecast maps page. There, you will also be able to look at forecasts beyond just 24 hours and look at forecasts out to as far as 16 days.

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Area snowfall accumulation expected around Pennington County, South Dakota

This is snowfall forecast, with amounts anticipated in the next 24 hours. This guidance is from the HRRR weather model. For more model forecasts out to 16 days, visit our main weather forecast maps page.

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These are Convective Outlooks from the Storm Prediction Center. Click to see Days 1-3 broken down into Tornado, Wind and Hail threats, as well as days 5-8 outlooks.

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Atlantic Hurricane and Tropical Storm Tracking Map
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<p>Hurricane Tracking from F5Weather</a></div>

Our hurricane tracking map monitors for any current or forecast tropical disturbances in the Atlantic. (See our Pacific Hurricane Tracker) Various hurricane models will draw a 'spaghetti plot' in the Atlantic Basin when a disturbance is forecast or exists, showing the system's forecast track. Once a storm has developed, the National Hurricane Center will forecast their official track. This will show up on the map along with the storm's current intensity, track and name. We will also plot some of the storm's vitals and of course the spaghetti plots from the models along with the NHC forecast track will give you an idea of where it's heading, and its forecast intensity with time.

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To view the latest computer models, visit f5wx.com for access to the weather maps and guidance that meteorologists use to make their forecasts.
 
Get access to:
  • European ECMWF HRES
  • American GFS
  • Canadian GDPS GEM
  • German DWD ICON
  • British MetOffice's UKMET Unified Model
  • American NAM
  • American HRRR
  • American NBM - National Blend of Models
  • GEFS, GEPS, MOGREPS & European Ensembles
  • Probabilities & Averages
  • 3-Ensemble Mean & more!
View Skew-T soundings, textual data tables for your location, and of course maps! Weather forecast maps of the basics like temperature, wind, pressure, humidity, dew point, cloud cover, simulated radar, travel weather, rainfall and snow are available. More advanced users can also get use out of our severe weather & tornado threat maps, as well as upper air & shear graphics.
 
See the latest forecast data as the models update.
 
F5Weather Maps

Climate Summary
(made with AI, use with caution)
Rapid Valley, South Dakota

Climate Summary

    •   Köppen Climate Classification

Dfa (Hot Summer Continental Climate)

    •   Average Annual Temperature

48.8°F (9.3°C)

    •   Average Annual Precipitation

20.2 inches (513 mm)

Temperature

    •   Average High Temperature

64.9°F (18.3°C)

    •   Average Low Temperature

32.7°F (0.4°C)

    •   Record High Temperature

109°F (43°C)

    •   Record Low Temperature

-30°F (-34°C)

Precipitation

    •   Average Annual Snowfall

34.3 inches (87 cm)

    •   Average Number of Rainy Days

85

    •   Average Number of Snowy Days

34

    •   Wettest Month

May (3.2 inches)

    •   Driest Month

January (0.5 inches)

Other Climate Data

    •   Average Humidity

65%

    •   Average Wind Speed

11 mph (18 km/h)

    •   Average Sunshine Hours

2,677 per year

    •   Tornado Risk

Moderate

Climate Characteristics

Rapid Valley experiences a hot summer continental climate, characterized by hot summers with frequent thunderstorms and cold, dry winters.

    •   Summers

Summers are hot and humid, with average high temperatures in the mid-80s°F (high 20s°C). Thunderstorms are common, especially in the afternoons and evenings.

    •   Winters

Winters are cold and dry, with average low temperatures below freezing. Snowfall is moderate, averaging around 34 inches per year.

    •   Spring and Fall

Spring and fall are transitional seasons, with temperatures gradually warming or cooling. Precipitation is generally lower than in summer, but thunderstorms can still occur.

Climate Trends

Like many regions, Rapid Valley has experienced some climate trends in recent years:

    •   Rising Temperatures

Average temperatures have increased slightly over the past century.

    •   Decreasing Precipitation

Annual precipitation has decreased slightly, with less snowfall and more intense rainfall events.

    •   More Extreme Weather

The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, such as heat waves, droughts, and floods, have increased.

Facts & Historical Information
(made with AI, use with caution)
Natural History and Science

    •   Rapid Valley is home to the Black Hills National Forest, a vast expanse of ponderosa pine, spruce, and aspen forests.

    •   The area is rich in fossils, including those of dinosaurs, mammoths, and saber-toothed cats.

    •   The Rapid Creek, which flows through the valley, is a popular destination for fishing and kayaking.

Historical Personalities

  • Seth Bullock:

    A legendary lawman and rancher who played a key role in the development of the Black Hills region.

  • John Wesley Powell:

    A geologist and explorer who led the first expedition through the Grand Canyon.

  • Oglala Lakota Chief Red Cloud:

    A prominent leader who fought against the U.S. government's encroachment on Native American lands.

  • Dr. Ruth B. Hiatt:

    A pioneering physician and suffragette who established the first hospital in Rapid Valley.

    • Tourist Attractions
    1.Crazy Horse Memorial:

    Located just 17 miles from Rapid Valley, this iconic mountain carving depicts the Lakota warrior Crazy Horse and is one of the largest sculptures in the world.

    2.Mount Rushmore National Memorial:

    A short drive from Rapid Valley, Mount Rushmore features the colossal faces of four US presidents carved into the side of a mountain.

    3.Badlands National Park:

    Located about an hour's drive from Rapid Valley, Badlands National Park offers stunning views of rugged canyons, buttes, and prairies, as well as opportunities for hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.

    Nearby Cities:

    Rapid City, SD
    Box Elder, SDSummerset, SD
    Gillette, WY
    Spearfish, SDSturgis, SD
    Chadron, NEBelle Fourche, SD
    Newcastle, WYHot Springs, SD
    Pine Ridge, SDLead, SD
    North Eagle Butte, SDCuster, SD
    Wright, WY