Buffalo Gap Weather Records (USC00391124)

Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Buffalo Gap (USC00391124), South Dakota, United States, with 56 years of record.

Key Facts for Buffalo Gap

Buffalo Gap (USC00391124) is a weather station in South Dakota, United States at 43.49 latitude and -103.31 longitude, 972 m (3,188 ft) above sea level.
The station reports from 1951 to 2006, 56 years of record.
1,330 records set at Buffalo Gap still stand.
Records are tracked for prcp, snow, snwd: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
Buffalo Gap set a daily record snowfall of 10.2 cm (4.0 in) on 16 February 2006.

About the Station

Location: South Dakota, United States, 43.49 latitude, -103.31 longitude.
Elevation: 972 m (3,188 ft).
Period of record: 1951 to 2006, 56 years.
Eligible elements: prcp, snow, snwd.

Daily Record Envelope and 2026

0 days at or beyond a record

The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Buffalo Gap. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 0 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.

Daily record high and record low at Buffalo Gap, with 2026 drawn through them
Month	Highest record high	Lowest record low	2026 highest maximum	2026 lowest minimum
Jan	18.3 C (64.9 F)	-10.6 C (12.9 F)	n/a	n/a
Feb	21.1 C (70.0 F)	-32.2 C (-26.0 F)	n/a	n/a
Mar	n/a	n/a	n/a	n/a
Apr	31.1 C (88.0 F)	-5.0 C (23.0 F)	n/a	n/a
May	35.6 C (96.1 F)	-2.2 C (28.0 F)	n/a	n/a
Jun	41.7 C (107.1 F)	5.0 C (41.0 F)	n/a	n/a
Jul	42.8 C (109.0 F)	7.8 C (46.0 F)	n/a	n/a
Aug	42.8 C (109.0 F)	8.9 C (48.0 F)	n/a	n/a
Sep	38.9 C (102.0 F)	2.2 C (36.0 F)	n/a	n/a
Oct	34.4 C (93.9 F)	-3.3 C (26.1 F)	n/a	n/a
Nov	26.1 C (79.0 F)	-13.3 C (8.1 F)	n/a	n/a
Dec	18.9 C (66.0 F)	-24.4 C (-11.9 F)	n/a	n/a

Which Years Hold Standing Records

1,330 standing records

1,330 records at Buffalo Gap still stand. 2005 holds the most, with 622.

All-Time Record Progression

1 new records

1 all-time records were set at Buffalo Gap between 30 July 1997 and 30 July 1997. Each dot is a new record.

Wettest Day of Each Month

Jul: 105.4 mm (4.1 in)

The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Buffalo Gap. The most was 105.4 mm (4.1 in) on 30 July 1997.

Record daily precipitation for each month at Buffalo Gap
Month	Record daily precipitation (mm)	Date
Jan	15.2 mm (0.6 in)	3 January 1997
Feb	16.5 mm (0.6 in)	26 February 2000
Mar	28.2 mm (1.1 in)	21 March 1987
Apr	91.7 mm (3.6 in)	21 April 2000
May	48.5 mm (1.9 in)	22 May 1992
Jun	78.7 mm (3.1 in)	10 June 1972
Jul	105.4 mm (4.1 in)	30 July 1997
Aug	78.7 mm (3.1 in)	1 August 1999
Sep	57.2 mm (2.3 in)	20 September 1955
Oct	47.5 mm (1.9 in)	15 October 1980
Nov	17.8 mm (0.7 in)	7 November 1998
Dec	19.1 mm (0.8 in)	7 December 1994

Period of Record Coverage

2004 to 2006

3 years of record at Buffalo Gap, 2004 to 2006. 3 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 2004, 2005, 2006.

Latest Records

Latest records at Buffalo Gap
Date	Station	Record	Value	Beat old record by	Old record stood	Significance
16 February 2006	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snowfall	10.2 cm (4.0 in)	7.7 cm (3.0 in)	12 years	31 of 100 (Routine)
13 August 2005	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	27.9 mm (1.1 in)	24.1 mm (0.9 in)	32 years	39 of 100 (Notable)
22 October 2004	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	25.4 mm (1.0 in)	19.3 mm (0.8 in)	47 years	44 of 100 (Notable)
21 April 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	monthly rain	91.7 mm (3.6 in)	55.9 mm (2.2 in)	27 years	63 of 100 (Major)
19 April 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snowfall	15.2 cm (6.0 in)	5.5 cm (2.2 in)	41 years	25 of 100 (Routine)
26 February 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	monthly rain	16.5 mm (0.6 in)	1.3 mm (0.05 in)	45 years	20 of 100 (Routine)
13 February 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snowfall	11.4 cm (4.5 in)	6.1 cm (2.4 in)	26 years	31 of 100 (Routine)
1 February 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snowfall	10.2 cm (4.0 in)	7.2 cm (2.8 in)	21 years	33 of 100 (Routine)
1 February 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	6.4 mm (0.25 in)	2.8 mm (0.11 in)	40 years	20 of 100 (Routine)
31 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	8.9 mm (0.35 in)	5.1 mm (0.20 in)	41 years	20 of 100 (Routine)
29 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	11.4 mm (0.4 in)	7.6 mm (0.30 in)	24 years	20 of 100 (Routine)
29 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snow depth	17.8 cm (7.0 in)	5.1 cm (2.0 in)	42 years	25 of 100 (Routine)
28 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	8.9 mm (0.35 in)	3.6 mm (0.14 in)	34 years	20 of 100 (Routine)
28 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snowfall	8.9 cm (3.5 in)	3.3 cm (1.3 in)	34 years	23 of 100 (Routine)
28 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snow depth (Tie)	15.2 cm (6.0 in)	tie	42 years	4 of 100 (Routine)
27 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	3.3 mm (0.13 in)	0.8 mm (0.03 in)	32 years	16 of 100 (Routine)
26 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	4.3 mm (0.17 in)	2.0 mm (0.08 in)	2 years	12 of 100 (Routine)
26 January 2000	Buffalo Gap, US	daily snowfall (Tie)	6.4 cm (2.5 in)	tie	2 years	1 of 100 (Routine)
20 November 1999	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	13.5 mm (0.5 in)	7.7 mm (0.30 in)	2 years	20 of 100 (Routine)
5 September 1999	Buffalo Gap, US	daily rain	12.7 mm (0.5 in)	5.6 mm (0.22 in)	4 years	11 of 100 (Routine)

Extremes by Year

1951 to 2006

Yearly extremes at Buffalo Gap: the record and the median year
Measure	Record	Year of the record	Median year	Years with a value
Hottest day (TXx)	42.8 C (109.0 F)	2004	42.8 C (109.0 F)	3
Coldest night (TNn)	-32.2 C (-26.0 F)	2006	-24.4 C (-11.9 F)	3
Wettest day (Rx1day)	105.4 mm (4.1 in)	1997	41.7 mm (1.6 in)	53
Wettest five days (Rx5day)	122.1 mm (4.8 in)	2000	65.1 mm (2.6 in)	53
Longest dry spell (CDD)	61 days	1999	35 days	53

Hottest day (TXx)

The hottest day of the year at Buffalo Gap, 1951 to 2006. The record is 42.8 C (109.0 F) in 2004, marked on the chart; the median year is 42.8 C (109.0 F).

Hottest day (TXx) at Buffalo Gap by year
Year	Hottest day (TXx)
1951	n/a
1952	n/a
1953	n/a
1954	n/a
1955	n/a
1956	n/a
1957	n/a
1958	n/a
1959	n/a
1960	n/a
1961	n/a
1962	n/a
1963	n/a
1964	n/a
1965	n/a
1966	n/a
1967	n/a
1968	n/a
1969	n/a
1970	n/a
1971	n/a
1972	n/a
1973	n/a
1974	n/a
1975	n/a
1976	n/a
1977	n/a
1978	n/a
1979	n/a
1980	n/a
1981	n/a
1982	n/a
1983	n/a
1984	n/a
1985	n/a
1986	n/a
1987	n/a
1988	n/a
1989	n/a
1990	n/a
1991	n/a
1992	n/a
1993	n/a
1994	n/a
1995	n/a
1996	n/a
1997	n/a
1998	n/a
1999	n/a
2000	n/a
2004	42.8 C (109.0 F)
2005	42.8 C (109.0 F)
2006	21.1 C (70.0 F)

Coldest night (TNn)

The coldest night of the year at Buffalo Gap, 1951 to 2006. The record is -32.2 C (-26.0 F) in 2006, marked on the chart; the median year is -24.4 C (-11.9 F).

Coldest night (TNn) at Buffalo Gap by year
Year	Coldest night (TNn)
1951	n/a
1952	n/a
1953	n/a
1954	n/a
1955	n/a
1956	n/a
1957	n/a
1958	n/a
1959	n/a
1960	n/a
1961	n/a
1962	n/a
1963	n/a
1964	n/a
1965	n/a
1966	n/a
1967	n/a
1968	n/a
1969	n/a
1970	n/a
1971	n/a
1972	n/a
1973	n/a
1974	n/a
1975	n/a
1976	n/a
1977	n/a
1978	n/a
1979	n/a
1980	n/a
1981	n/a
1982	n/a
1983	n/a
1984	n/a
1985	n/a
1986	n/a
1987	n/a
1988	n/a
1989	n/a
1990	n/a
1991	n/a
1992	n/a
1993	n/a
1994	n/a
1995	n/a
1996	n/a
1997	n/a
1998	n/a
1999	n/a
2000	n/a
2004	-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
2005	-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
2006	-32.2 C (-26.0 F)

Wettest day (Rx1day)

The wettest day of the year at Buffalo Gap, 1951 to 2006. The record is 105.4 mm (4.1 in) in 1997, marked on the chart; the median year is 41.7 mm (1.6 in).

Wettest day (Rx1day) at Buffalo Gap by year
Year	Wettest day (Rx1day)
1951	19.1 mm (0.8 in)
1952	47.8 mm (1.9 in)
1953	25.1 mm (1.0 in)
1954	45.5 mm (1.8 in)
1955	65.5 mm (2.6 in)
1956	23.9 mm (0.9 in)
1957	25.4 mm (1.0 in)
1958	57.9 mm (2.3 in)
1959	23.6 mm (0.9 in)
1960	32.5 mm (1.3 in)
1961	19.8 mm (0.8 in)
1962	68.6 mm (2.7 in)
1963	68.6 mm (2.7 in)
1964	61.0 mm (2.4 in)
1965	39.4 mm (1.6 in)
1966	41.7 mm (1.6 in)
1967	33.5 mm (1.3 in)
1968	49.8 mm (2.0 in)
1969	47.2 mm (1.9 in)
1970	61.5 mm (2.4 in)
1971	42.7 mm (1.7 in)
1972	78.7 mm (3.1 in)
1973	46.2 mm (1.8 in)
1974	31.8 mm (1.3 in)
1975	33.5 mm (1.3 in)
1976	82.6 mm (3.3 in)
1977	40.6 mm (1.6 in)
1978	36.8 mm (1.4 in)
1979	57.2 mm (2.3 in)
1980	47.5 mm (1.9 in)
1981	44.7 mm (1.8 in)
1982	32.3 mm (1.3 in)
1983	54.6 mm (2.1 in)
1984	33.5 mm (1.3 in)
1985	36.3 mm (1.4 in)
1986	40.6 mm (1.6 in)
1987	45.0 mm (1.8 in)
1988	33.0 mm (1.3 in)
1989	26.4 mm (1.0 in)
1990	43.7 mm (1.7 in)
1991	40.4 mm (1.6 in)
1992	48.5 mm (1.9 in)
1993	50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1994	38.4 mm (1.5 in)
1995	40.1 mm (1.6 in)
1996	34.8 mm (1.4 in)
1997	105.4 mm (4.1 in)
1998	55.9 mm (2.2 in)
1999	78.7 mm (3.1 in)
2000	91.7 mm (3.6 in)
2004	25.4 mm (1.0 in)
2005	27.9 mm (1.1 in)
2006	2.5 mm (0.10 in)

Wettest five days (Rx5day)

The wettest five days of the year at Buffalo Gap, 1951 to 2006. The record is 122.1 mm (4.8 in) in 2000, marked on the chart; the median year is 65.1 mm (2.6 in).

Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Buffalo Gap by year
Year	Wettest five days (Rx5day)
1951	39.9 mm (1.6 in)
1952	85.1 mm (3.4 in)
1953	52.8 mm (2.1 in)
1954	48.6 mm (1.9 in)
1955	105.4 mm (4.1 in)
1956	42.2 mm (1.7 in)
1957	47.5 mm (1.9 in)
1958	64.3 mm (2.5 in)
1959	51.1 mm (2.0 in)
1960	38.6 mm (1.5 in)
1961	31.5 mm (1.2 in)
1962	84.6 mm (3.3 in)
1963	81.6 mm (3.2 in)
1964	78.6 mm (3.1 in)
1965	75.7 mm (3.0 in)
1966	61.3 mm (2.4 in)
1967	71.2 mm (2.8 in)
1968	93.0 mm (3.7 in)
1969	96.5 mm (3.8 in)
1970	73.1 mm (2.9 in)
1971	48.8 mm (1.9 in)
1972	89.4 mm (3.5 in)
1973	51.5 mm (2.0 in)
1974	43.8 mm (1.7 in)
1975	65.1 mm (2.6 in)
1976	101.1 mm (4.0 in)
1977	63.5 mm (2.5 in)
1978	54.0 mm (2.1 in)
1979	64.3 mm (2.5 in)
1980	50.8 mm (2.0 in)
1981	99.6 mm (3.9 in)
1982	88.2 mm (3.5 in)
1983	54.6 mm (2.1 in)
1984	70.4 mm (2.8 in)
1985	43.4 mm (1.7 in)
1986	84.0 mm (3.3 in)
1987	77.5 mm (3.1 in)
1988	70.1 mm (2.8 in)
1989	52.8 mm (2.1 in)
1990	68.6 mm (2.7 in)
1991	67.6 mm (2.7 in)
1992	51.0 mm (2.0 in)
1993	78.0 mm (3.1 in)
1994	43.7 mm (1.7 in)
1995	64.7 mm (2.5 in)
1996	85.6 mm (3.4 in)
1997	110.0 mm (4.3 in)
1998	67.3 mm (2.6 in)
1999	78.7 mm (3.1 in)
2000	122.1 mm (4.8 in)
2004	5.6 mm (0.22 in)
2005	45.4 mm (1.8 in)
2006	2.8 mm (0.11 in)

Longest dry spell (CDD)

The longest dry spell of the year at Buffalo Gap, 1951 to 2006. The record is 61 days in 1999, marked on the chart; the median year is 35 days.

Longest dry spell (CDD) at Buffalo Gap by year
Year	Longest dry spell (CDD)
1951	40 days
1952	29 days
1953	29 days
1954	34 days
1955	26 days
1956	24 days
1957	42 days
1958	39 days
1959	39 days
1960	36 days
1961	47 days
1962	39 days
1963	39 days
1964	41 days
1965	36 days
1966	26 days
1967	35 days
1968	23 days
1969	35 days
1970	23 days
1971	21 days
1972	23 days
1973	43 days
1974	26 days
1975	39 days
1976	38 days
1977	45 days
1978	22 days
1979	40 days
1980	29 days
1981	40 days
1982	24 days
1983	32 days
1984	31 days
1985	30 days
1986	22 days
1987	34 days
1988	35 days
1989	32 days
1990	38 days
1991	28 days
1992	45 days
1993	23 days
1994	32 days
1995	37 days
1996	28 days
1997	38 days
1998	36 days
1999	61 days
2000	25 days
2004	60 days
2005	26 days
2006	38 days

Each chart shows one value per year; the dot marks the record year. TXx is the hottest daily maximum, TNn the coldest daily minimum, Rx1day and Rx5day the largest one-day and five-day rain totals, and CDD the longest run of days with less than 1 mm of rain. A year with missing days can understate an extreme.

Rainfall Return Levels

47 years, 1953 to 1999

A day with at least 42.7 mm (1.7 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 106.6 mm (4.2 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.

Rainfall return levels at Buffalo Gap: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once in	A day with at least	Note
2 years	42.7 mm (1.7 in)
5 years	58.2 mm (2.3 in)
10 years	69.0 mm (2.7 in)
25 years	83.5 mm (3.3 in)
50 years	94.9 mm (3.7 in)	Longer than the 47 years of record
100 years	106.6 mm (4.2 in)	Longer than the 47 years of record

The levels come from a generalised extreme value (GEV) distribution fitted by L-moments to the wettest-day total of each year, 47 years of values from 1953 to 1999.

A return level is an estimate. It is least reliable for the long periods, 50 and 100 years, and for any period longer than the record behind the fit, where the fit has to reach past the largest day actually observed. It is not a forecast.

The largest wettest-day totals in the fit: 105.4 mm (4.1 in) in 1997; 82.6 mm (3.3 in) in 1976; 78.7 mm (3.1 in) in 1972.

Download the Data

Data for Buffalo Gap standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
Data for Buffalo Gap threshold days by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.

Source: NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Global Historical Climatology Network Daily (GHCN-Daily). Records are computed by World Extreme Weather Monitor and are not official NOAA products. (US Government open data (NOAA NCEI)) Data as of 2026-10-17 (17 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.

Data as of 2025-12-31. Last revised 31 December 2025 (2025-12-31).

Days with data per year at Buffalo Gap
Year	Days with data	Share of year	Complete
2004	165	45%	No
2005	212	58%	No
2006	59	16%	No