Updated October 2026
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site Weather by Month
Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is warmest in July, when the nearest NOAA climate station averages a high of 88°F and a low of 59°F, and coldest in January, with an average high of 33°F and an average low of 8°F. June is the wettest month, with about 3.1 inches of precipitation. Snowfall is heaviest in April, at about 6.8 inches.
These figures are NOAA's 1991–2020 climate normals, the 30-year average for each calendar month, from the nearest long-record weather station, 9.4 miles from the park's reference point. A single station cannot describe a whole park: temperatures elsewhere in Minuteman Missile National Historic Site can differ from these, particularly with elevation.
Warmest month
Jul
88°F avg high
Coldest month
Jan
8°F avg low
Wettest month
Jun
3.1 in avg
Snowiest month
Apr
6.8 in avg
Longest days
Jun
15.3 h of daylight
Average weather at Minuteman Missile by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Precipitation | Snowfall | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 33°F | 8°F | 0.4 in | 5.4 in | 9.1 h |
| February | 37°F | 11°F | 0.6 in | 6.3 in | 10.2 h |
| March | 48°F | 20°F | 1.0 in | 6.3 in | 11.6 h |
| April | 58°F | 30°F | 2.0 in | 6.8 in | 13.2 h |
| May | 68°F | 42°F | 2.9 in | 0.4 in | 14.5 h |
| June | 79°F | 53°F | 3.1 in | 0.0 in | 15.3 h |
| July | 88°F | 59°F | 2.1 in | 0.0 in | 15.0 h |
| August | 88°F | 56°F | 1.6 in | 0.0 in | 13.8 h |
| September | 78°F | 45°F | 1.2 in | 0.0 in | 12.3 h |
| October | 62°F | 31°F | 1.5 in | 2.2 in | 10.8 h |
| November | 47°F | 19°F | 0.5 in | 4.8 in | 9.4 h |
| December | 36°F | 10°F | 0.5 in | 6.0 in | 8.7 h |
| Year total | 17.4 in | 38.2 in |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals from station USC00391972, 9.4 miles from the park's reference point. Daylight is the monthly average, computed from the park's latitude. Each month links to how crowded Minuteman Missile is at that time of year.
Minuteman Missile weather by season
Winter: December to February
Average highs bottom out at 33°F in January, between 36°F in December and 37°F in February, with average lows between 8°F and 11°F. The average low is at or below freezing in all three months. Together the three months average 1.5 inches of precipitation, about 9% of the yearly total and less than in any other season. Snowfall averages about 18 inches for the season. Daylight is at its shortest, about 8.7 hours in December.
Spring: March to May
Average highs climb from 48°F in March to 68°F in May, with average lows between 20°F and 42°F. The average low is at or below freezing in March and April. Together the three months average 5.9 inches of precipitation, about 34% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 14 inches for the season. Daylight lengthens from about 11.6 hours in March to 14.5 in May.
Summer: June to August
Average highs climb from 79°F in June to 88°F in August, with average lows between 53°F and 59°F. Together the three months average 6.8 inches of precipitation, about 39% of the yearly total and more than in any other season. Daylight is at its longest, about 15.3 hours in June.
Fall: September to November
Average highs fall from 78°F in September to 47°F in November, with average lows between 19°F and 45°F. The average low is at or below freezing in October and November. Together the three months average 3.2 inches of precipitation, about 18% of the yearly total. Snowfall averages about 7 inches for the season, most of it in November. Daylight shortens from about 12.3 hours in September to 9.4 in November.
What the National Park Service says about the weather
Rapid weather changes are common in the western South Dakota area where Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is located. Variations from season to season and from year to year are great. Characteristics of the climate are hot dry summers and bitterly cold winters. Wind is a constant on the Great Plains, winds in excess of 50 mph not uncommon. During the winter season, winds typically blow from the north-northwest and have been known to cause wind chills in excess of -40 degrees.
Weather description courtesy of the National Park Service — official park site.
Today's forecast for Minuteman Missile
Averages describe a typical month, not this week. For current conditions and the seven-day outlook, the National Weather Service issues a forecast for the park's reference point at 43.90°N, 102.03°W. It covers that one spot, so other elevations in the park can differ from it, as they do from the averages above.
National Weather Service forecast for Minuteman Missile National Historic Site →
Weather and crowds together
July is both the warmest month and the busiest, with about 3.0× the visitors of the park's average month. February is the quietest. To see those crowds set against the weather for all twelve months, read the best time to visit Minuteman Missile National Historic Site. For hotels, cabins and rentals close to the park, see where to stay near Minuteman Missile.
Where to stay near Minuteman Missile
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Frequently Asked Questions
July is the warmest month at Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, with an average high of 88°F and an average low of 59°F. That is the 1991–2020 average at the nearest long-record NOAA station, 9.4 miles from the park's reference point. Temperatures inside the park can differ, particularly with elevation.
January is the coldest month at Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, with an average low of 8°F and an average high of 33°F, based on NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals.
June is the wettest month, with about 3.1 inches of precipitation. January is the driest, at about 0.4 inches. The station records about 17.4 inches of precipitation in an average year.
Yes. The nearest long-record NOAA station, 9.4 miles from the park's reference point, averages about 38 inches of snow a year. April is the snowiest month, at about 6.8 inches. The station averages at least a tenth of an inch of snow in 8 of the 12 months.
Weather at nearby parks
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Keep exploring
Sources: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (station USC00391972), daylight computed from latitude, weather description from the National Park Service, crowd levels from National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics (2004–2025). Updated 2026-10-11. Lodging results are provided by Stay22; WhenToVisitParks may earn a commission from bookings, at no extra cost to you.