Built 2026-10-15 (15 October 2026)

Wind Cave Weather Records (USC00399347)

Record envelope, standing records and threshold days for Wind Cave (USC00399347), South Dakota, United States, with 79 years of record.

Key Facts for Wind Cave

  • Wind Cave (USC00399347) is a weather station in South Dakota, United States at 43.56 latitude and -103.48 longitude, 1,266 m (4,155 ft) above sea level.
  • The station reports from 1948 to 2026, 79 years of record.
  • 1,464 records set at Wind Cave still stand.
  • Records are tracked for tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd: an element needs 30 years of data to be eligible.
  • Wind Cave set a daily record high maximum temperature of 28.9 C (84.0 F) on 7 October 2026 (provisional).

Provisional Records

Records set in the last 60 days are provisional until they clear the revision window.

About the Station

  • Location: South Dakota, United States, 43.56 latitude, -103.48 longitude.
  • Elevation: 1,266 m (4,155 ft).
  • Period of record: 1948 to 2026, 79 years.
  • Eligible elements: tmax, tmin, prcp, snow, snwd.

Daily Record Envelope and 2026

35 days at or beyond a record
Daily record high and record low at Wind Cave, with 2026 drawn through them The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Wind Cave. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 35 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius. -40-200204060 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
The band shows the record high and record low for each calendar day at Wind Cave. The lines show the 2026 daily maximum and minimum. 35 days in 2026 matched or passed a record. Temperatures are in degrees Celsius.
Daily record high and record low at Wind Cave, with 2026 drawn through them
MonthHighest record highLowest record low2026 highest maximum2026 lowest minimum
Jan20.6 C (69.1 F)-34.4 C (-29.9 F)13.9 C (57.0 F)-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
Feb20.6 C (69.1 F)-35.6 C (-32.1 F)18.9 C (66.0 F)-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
Mar28.9 C (84.0 F)-28.9 C (-20.0 F)28.9 C (84.0 F)-16.7 C (1.9 F)
Apr31.7 C (89.1 F)-17.2 C (1.0 F)30.0 C (86.0 F)-6.1 C (21.0 F)
May33.3 C (91.9 F)-9.4 C (15.1 F)30.0 C (86.0 F)-5.0 C (23.0 F)
Jun38.9 C (102.0 F)-1.1 C (30.0 F)32.2 C (90.0 F)3.9 C (39.0 F)
Jul40.6 C (105.1 F)3.3 C (37.9 F)39.4 C (102.9 F)12.2 C (54.0 F)
Aug39.4 C (102.9 F)-0.6 C (30.9 F)39.4 C (102.9 F)8.9 C (48.0 F)
Sep39.4 C (102.9 F)-5.0 C (23.0 F)31.7 C (89.1 F)7.2 C (45.0 F)
Oct31.7 C (89.1 F)-18.9 C (-2.0 F)28.9 C (84.0 F)4.4 C (39.9 F)
Nov24.4 C (75.9 F)-26.1 C (-15.0 F)n/an/a
Dec18.9 C (66.0 F)-32.8 C (-27.0 F)n/an/a

Which Years Hold Standing Records

1,464 standing records
Standing records at Wind Cave by the year they were set 1,464 records at Wind Cave still stand. 1992 holds the most, with 78. 0204060801990: 461991: 491992: 781993: 371994: 531995: 571996: 561997: 391998: 331999: 542000: 532001: 222002: 362003: 432004: 342005: 352006: 502007: 442008: 102009: 482010: 292011: 242012: 432013: 302014: 482015: 342016: 372017: 392018: 292019: 262020: 372021: 322022: 312023: 262024: 372025: 462026: 391990199419982002200620102014201820222026
1,464 records at Wind Cave still stand. 1992 holds the most, with 78.
Standing records at Wind Cave by the year they were set
Year setStanding records
199046
199149
199278
199337
199453
199557
199656
199739
199833
199954
200053
200122
200236
200343
200434
200535
200650
200744
200810
200948
201029
201124
201243
201330
201448
201534
201637
201739
201829
201926
202037
202132
202231
202326
202437
202546
202639

Wettest Day of Each Month

Apr: 88.1 mm (3.5 in)
Record daily precipitation for each month at Wind Cave The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Wind Cave. The most was 88.1 mm (3.5 in) on 19 April 2000. 0255075100 Jan: 14.2 mm (0.6 in), 3 January 1949 Jan Feb: 26.2 mm (1.0 in), 17 February 1991 Feb Mar: 24.4 mm (1.0 in), 12 March 2006 Mar Apr: 88.1 mm (3.5 in), 19 April 2000 Apr May: 72.1 mm (2.8 in), 25 May 1997 May Jun: 60.5 mm (2.4 in), 10 June 2023 Jun Jul: 67.3 mm (2.6 in), 31 July 2023 Jul Aug: 66.0 mm (2.6 in), 3 August 1994 Aug Sep: 56.9 mm (2.2 in), 30 September 2014 Sep Oct: 47.8 mm (1.9 in), 12 October 2023 Oct Nov: 44.5 mm (1.8 in), 25 November 1992 Nov Dec: 17.3 mm (0.7 in), 10 December 2021 Dec
The wettest day on record for each calendar month at Wind Cave. The most was 88.1 mm (3.5 in) on 19 April 2000.
Record daily precipitation for each month at Wind Cave
MonthRecord daily precipitation (mm)Date
Jan14.2 mm (0.6 in)3 January 1949
Feb26.2 mm (1.0 in)17 February 1991
Mar24.4 mm (1.0 in)12 March 2006
Apr88.1 mm (3.5 in)19 April 2000
May72.1 mm (2.8 in)25 May 1997
Jun60.5 mm (2.4 in)10 June 2023
Jul67.3 mm (2.6 in)31 July 2023
Aug66.0 mm (2.6 in)3 August 1994
Sep56.9 mm (2.2 in)30 September 2014
Oct47.8 mm (1.9 in)12 October 2023
Nov44.5 mm (1.8 in)25 November 1992
Dec17.3 mm (0.7 in)10 December 2021

Period of Record Coverage

1990 to 2026
Days with data per year at Wind Cave 37 years of record at Wind Cave, 1990 to 2026. 4 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1990, 1996, 2008, 2026. 1990: 140 of 365 days1991: 352 of 365 days1992: 361 of 366 days1993: 351 of 365 days1994: 353 of 365 days1995: 341 of 365 days1996: 315 of 366 days1997: 352 of 365 days1998: 359 of 365 days1999: 348 of 365 days2000: 345 of 366 days2001: 329 of 365 days2002: 353 of 365 days2003: 349 of 365 days2004: 356 of 366 days2005: 346 of 365 days2006: 346 of 365 days2007: 333 of 365 days2008: 145 of 366 days2009: 365 of 365 days2010: 365 of 365 days2011: 365 of 365 days2012: 366 of 366 days2013: 365 of 365 days2014: 365 of 365 days2015: 365 of 365 days2016: 366 of 366 days2017: 358 of 365 days2018: 357 of 365 days2019: 365 of 365 days2020: 364 of 366 days2021: 365 of 365 days2022: 365 of 365 days2023: 362 of 365 days2024: 366 of 366 days2025: 361 of 365 days2026: 271 of 365 days19901995200020052010201520202025
37 years of record at Wind Cave, 1990 to 2026. 4 years have data for under 90 percent of days and are left out of rankings: 1990, 1996, 2008, 2026.
Days with data per year at Wind Cave
YearDays with dataShare of yearComplete
199014038%No
199135296%Yes
199236199%Yes
199335196%Yes
199435397%Yes
199534193%Yes
199631586%No
199735296%Yes
199835998%Yes
199934895%Yes
200034594%Yes
200132990%Yes
200235397%Yes
200334996%Yes
200435697%Yes
200534695%Yes
200634695%Yes
200733391%Yes
200814540%No
2009365100%Yes
2010365100%Yes
2011365100%Yes
2012366100%Yes
2013365100%Yes
2014365100%Yes
2015365100%Yes
2016366100%Yes
201735898%Yes
201835798%Yes
2019365100%Yes
202036499%Yes
2021365100%Yes
2022365100%Yes
202336299%Yes
2024366100%Yes
202536199%Yes
202627174%No

Latest Records

20
Latest records at Wind Cave
DateStationRecordValueBeat old record byOld record stoodSignificance
7 October 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max (Provisional)28.9 C (84.0 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)32 years12 of 100 (Routine)
28 September 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high min (Provisional)13.9 C (57.0 F)1.7 C (3.1 F)11 years9 of 100 (Routine)
7 September 2026Wind Cave, USdaily rain (Provisional)31.0 mm (1.2 in)19.3 mm (0.8 in)17 years37 of 100 (Notable)
7 September 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high min (Tie, Provisional)16.1 C (61.0 F)tie12 years1 of 100 (Routine)
30 August 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high min (Provisional)18.9 C (66.0 F)1.1 C (2.0 F)12 years9 of 100 (Routine)
9 August 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max35.6 C (96.1 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)33 years14 of 100 (Routine)
3 August 2026Wind Cave, USmonthly high max39.4 C (102.9 F)0.5 C (0.9 F)0 years14 of 100 (Routine)
2 August 2026Wind Cave, USmonthly high max38.9 C (102.0 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)30 years23 of 100 (Routine)
28 July 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high min (Tie)18.9 C (66.0 F)tie4 years1 of 100 (Routine)
27 July 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max38.3 C (100.9 F)1.1 C (2.0 F)4 years6 of 100 (Routine)
26 July 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max38.3 C (100.9 F)0.5 C (0.9 F)23 years10 of 100 (Routine)
25 July 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max39.4 C (102.9 F)1.6 C (2.9 F)23 years12 of 100 (Routine)
23 June 2026Wind Cave, USdaily low max18.9 C (66.0 F)0.5 C (0.9 F)29 years12 of 100 (Routine)
22 June 2026Wind Cave, USdaily low max16.7 C (62.1 F)2.2 C (4.0 F)7 years9 of 100 (Routine)
25 May 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max27.8 C (82.0 F)0.6 C (1.1 F)12 years7 of 100 (Routine)
24 May 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max27.8 C (82.0 F)1.7 C (3.1 F)32 years14 of 100 (Routine)
19 May 2026Wind Cave, USdaily low min-2.2 C (28.0 F)0.5 C (0.9 F)28 years12 of 100 (Routine)
11 May 2026Wind Cave, USdaily high max (Tie)30.0 C (86.0 F)tie0 years0 of 100 (Routine)
6 May 2026Wind Cave, USdaily low min-5.0 C (23.0 F)2.8 C (5.0 F)35 years19 of 100 (Routine)
26 April 2026Wind Cave, USdaily low max (Tie)2.2 C (36.0 F)tie32 years3 of 100 (Routine)

Climate Trend

32 complete years, 1991 to 2025
Annual mean temperature at Wind Cave as warming stripes, 1991 to 2025 One stripe for each of 32 complete years at Wind Cave, 1991 to 2025. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 8.6 C (47.5 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 2019, at 6.8 C (44.2 F), and the warmest was 2012, at 10.1 C (50.3 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.9 C (3.4 F). 1991: 9.1 C, +0.5 C from the station mean1992: 9.0 C, +0.4 C from the station mean1993: 6.9 C, -1.7 C from the station mean1994: 9.8 C, +1.2 C from the station mean1995: 8.3 C, -0.3 C from the station mean1997: 7.8 C, -0.8 C from the station mean1998: 8.1 C, -0.5 C from the station mean1999: 9.3 C, +0.7 C from the station mean2000: 8.6 C, -0.1 C from the station mean2002: 8.0 C, -0.6 C from the station mean2003: 8.7 C, +0.1 C from the station mean2004: 8.9 C, +0.3 C from the station mean2005: 9.2 C, +0.6 C from the station mean2006: 9.4 C, +0.7 C from the station mean2007: 9.6 C, +1.0 C from the station mean2009: 7.5 C, -1.1 C from the station mean2010: 8.3 C, -0.3 C from the station mean2011: 8.0 C, -0.6 C from the station mean2012: 10.1 C, +1.5 C from the station mean2013: 7.8 C, -0.8 C from the station mean2014: 7.7 C, -0.9 C from the station mean2015: 9.1 C, +0.5 C from the station mean2016: 9.5 C, +0.9 C from the station mean2017: 8.7 C, 0.0 C from the station mean2018: 7.9 C, -0.8 C from the station mean2019: 6.8 C, -1.8 C from the station mean2020: 8.8 C, +0.2 C from the station mean2021: 8.8 C, +0.2 C from the station mean2022: 8.3 C, -0.3 C from the station mean2023: 8.8 C, +0.2 C from the station mean2024: 9.7 C, +1.1 C from the station mean2025: 9.3 C, +0.7 C from the station mean19911995200020052010201520202025
One stripe for each of 32 complete years at Wind Cave, 1991 to 2025. Blue stripes are years cooler than the station's own mean of 8.6 C (47.5 F); red stripes are warmer. The coolest year was 2019, at 6.8 C (44.2 F), and the warmest was 2012, at 10.1 C (50.3 F). The strongest colour marks a difference of 1.9 C (3.4 F).
Annual mean temperature at Wind Cave as warming stripes, 1991 to 2025
YearAnnual mean temperatureDifference from the station mean
19919.1 C+0.51 C
19929.0 C+0.39 C
19936.9 C-1.75 C
19949.8 C+1.15 C
19958.3 C-0.34 C
19977.8 C-0.79 C
19988.1 C-0.51 C
19999.3 C+0.69 C
20008.6 C-0.06 C
20028.0 C-0.57 C
20038.7 C+0.07 C
20048.9 C+0.29 C
20059.2 C+0.60 C
20069.4 C+0.74 C
20079.6 C+0.97 C
20097.5 C-1.15 C
20108.3 C-0.29 C
20118.0 C-0.61 C
201210.1 C+1.53 C
20137.8 C-0.78 C
20147.7 C-0.95 C
20159.1 C+0.46 C
20169.5 C+0.89 C
20178.7 C+0.04 C
20187.9 C-0.76 C
20196.8 C-1.84 C
20208.8 C+0.21 C
20218.8 C+0.22 C
20228.3 C-0.35 C
20238.8 C+0.17 C
20249.7 C+1.12 C
20259.3 C+0.69 C

The fitted trend in annual mean temperature here over 1991 to 2025 is 0.04 C (-0.25 to 0.34) per decade. The interval includes zero, so the trend is not clearly different from zero. In Fahrenheit: 0.1 F (-0.5 to 0.6) per decade. The slope is a straight line fitted to 32 complete years; the brackets give its 95 percent interval.

Fitted temperature trends per decade at Wind Cave
MeasurePer decade (C)Per decade (F)PeriodComplete yearsReading
Annual mean temperature0.04 C (-0.25 to 0.34) per decade0.1 F (-0.5 to 0.6) per decade1991 to 202532Not clearly different from zero
Mean daily maximum0.01 C (-0.37 to 0.40) per decade0.03 F (-0.66 to 0.71) per decade1991 to 202532Not clearly different from zero
Mean daily minimum0.1 C (-0.2 to 0.3) per decade0.1 F (-0.3 to 0.5) per decade1991 to 202532Not clearly different from zero

A year is complete when all 12 months have at least 20 days of both daily maximum and daily minimum readings. The annual mean is the mean of the monthly means. The trend describes this one station over this period; it does not say what caused the change.

Extremes by Year

1948 to 2026
Yearly extremes at Wind Cave: the record and the median year
MeasureRecordYear of the recordMedian yearYears with a value
Hottest day (TXx)40.6 C (105.1 F)200637.2 C (99.0 F)37
Coldest night (TNn)-35.6 C (-32.1 F)1996-28.3 C (-18.9 F)37
Wettest day (Rx1day)88.1 mm (3.5 in)200039.6 mm (1.6 in)41
Wettest five days (Rx5day)108.1 mm (4.3 in)200061.2 mm (2.4 in)41
Longest dry spell (CDD)50 days199929 days41

Hottest day (TXx)

Hottest day (TXx) at Wind Cave by year The hottest day of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 40.6 C (105.1 F) in 2006, marked on the chart; the median year is 37.2 C (99.0 F). 3032.53537.54042.51960198020002020Record: 40.6 C (105.1 F) in 2006
The hottest day of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 40.6 C (105.1 F) in 2006, marked on the chart; the median year is 37.2 C (99.0 F).
Hottest day (TXx) at Wind Cave by year
YearHottest day (TXx)
1948n/a
1949n/a
1950n/a
1951n/a
199039.4 C (102.9 F)
199137.2 C (99.0 F)
199235.0 C (95.0 F)
199332.2 C (90.0 F)
199437.8 C (100.0 F)
199538.3 C (100.9 F)
199634.4 C (93.9 F)
199733.9 C (93.0 F)
199836.7 C (98.1 F)
199936.1 C (97.0 F)
200037.2 C (99.0 F)
200136.1 C (97.0 F)
200238.9 C (102.0 F)
200338.9 C (102.0 F)
200437.2 C (99.0 F)
200538.3 C (100.9 F)
200640.6 C (105.1 F)
200738.9 C (102.0 F)
200833.3 C (91.9 F)
200933.3 C (91.9 F)
201036.1 C (97.0 F)
201136.7 C (98.1 F)
201239.4 C (102.9 F)
201333.9 C (93.0 F)
201436.1 C (97.0 F)
201536.1 C (97.0 F)
201637.8 C (100.0 F)
201737.2 C (99.0 F)
201836.1 C (97.0 F)
201934.4 C (93.9 F)
202036.7 C (98.1 F)
202138.3 C (100.9 F)
202237.2 C (99.0 F)
202334.4 C (93.9 F)
202437.8 C (100.0 F)
202537.2 C (99.0 F)
202639.4 C (102.9 F)

Coldest night (TNn)

Coldest night (TNn) at Wind Cave by year The coldest night of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is -35.6 C (-32.1 F) in 1996, marked on the chart; the median year is -28.3 C (-18.9 F). -40-35-30-25-20-151960198020002020Record: -35.6 C (-32.1 F) in 1996
The coldest night of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is -35.6 C (-32.1 F) in 1996, marked on the chart; the median year is -28.3 C (-18.9 F).
Coldest night (TNn) at Wind Cave by year
YearColdest night (TNn)
1948n/a
1949n/a
1950n/a
1951n/a
1990-32.8 C (-27.0 F)
1991-23.3 C (-9.9 F)
1992-25.0 C (-13.0 F)
1993-28.9 C (-20.0 F)
1994-32.2 C (-26.0 F)
1995-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
1996-35.6 C (-32.1 F)
1997-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
1998-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
1999-24.4 C (-11.9 F)
2000-28.3 C (-18.9 F)
2001-22.2 C (-8.0 F)
2002-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
2003-31.1 C (-24.0 F)
2004-27.2 C (-17.0 F)
2005-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
2006-32.2 C (-26.0 F)
2007-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
2008-21.7 C (-7.1 F)
2009-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
2010-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
2011-29.4 C (-20.9 F)
2012-22.8 C (-9.0 F)
2013-28.9 C (-20.0 F)
2014-28.3 C (-18.9 F)
2015-25.6 C (-14.1 F)
2016-30.0 C (-22.0 F)
2017-26.7 C (-16.1 F)
2018-26.1 C (-15.0 F)
2019-28.3 C (-18.9 F)
2020-19.4 C (-2.9 F)
2021-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
2022-32.2 C (-26.0 F)
2023-30.6 C (-23.1 F)
2024-34.4 C (-29.9 F)
2025-32.8 C (-27.0 F)
2026-26.1 C (-15.0 F)

Wettest day (Rx1day)

Wettest day (Rx1day) at Wind Cave by year The wettest day of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 88.1 mm (3.5 in) in 2000, marked on the chart; the median year is 39.6 mm (1.6 in). 0204060801001960198020002020Record: 88.1 mm (3.5 in) in 2000
The wettest day of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 88.1 mm (3.5 in) in 2000, marked on the chart; the median year is 39.6 mm (1.6 in).
Wettest day (Rx1day) at Wind Cave by year
YearWettest day (Rx1day)
194838.6 mm (1.5 in)
194925.1 mm (1.0 in)
195031.5 mm (1.2 in)
195131.8 mm (1.3 in)
199015.7 mm (0.6 in)
199138.1 mm (1.5 in)
199244.5 mm (1.8 in)
199359.2 mm (2.3 in)
199466.0 mm (2.6 in)
199543.2 mm (1.7 in)
199626.4 mm (1.0 in)
199772.1 mm (2.8 in)
199847.0 mm (1.9 in)
199949.8 mm (2.0 in)
200088.1 mm (3.5 in)
200153.6 mm (2.1 in)
200240.1 mm (1.6 in)
200330.5 mm (1.2 in)
200435.6 mm (1.4 in)
200543.9 mm (1.7 in)
200624.4 mm (1.0 in)
200721.1 mm (0.8 in)
200814.5 mm (0.6 in)
200931.8 mm (1.3 in)
201039.6 mm (1.6 in)
201135.1 mm (1.4 in)
201239.1 mm (1.5 in)
201340.4 mm (1.6 in)
201456.9 mm (2.2 in)
201550.3 mm (2.0 in)
201656.9 mm (2.2 in)
201747.8 mm (1.9 in)
201842.4 mm (1.7 in)
201917.0 mm (0.7 in)
202053.3 mm (2.1 in)
202139.4 mm (1.6 in)
202258.4 mm (2.3 in)
202367.3 mm (2.6 in)
202433.8 mm (1.3 in)
202524.9 mm (1.0 in)
202631.0 mm (1.2 in)

Wettest five days (Rx5day)

Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Wind Cave by year The wettest five days of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 108.1 mm (4.3 in) in 2000, marked on the chart; the median year is 61.2 mm (2.4 in). 02550751001251960198020002020Record: 108.1 mm (4.3 in) in 2000
The wettest five days of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 108.1 mm (4.3 in) in 2000, marked on the chart; the median year is 61.2 mm (2.4 in).
Wettest five days (Rx5day) at Wind Cave by year
YearWettest five days (Rx5day)
194840.4 mm (1.6 in)
194938.9 mm (1.5 in)
195050.0 mm (2.0 in)
195154.1 mm (2.1 in)
199019.5 mm (0.8 in)
199161.2 mm (2.4 in)
199284.0 mm (3.3 in)
199376.7 mm (3.0 in)
199485.8 mm (3.4 in)
199586.9 mm (3.4 in)
199669.2 mm (2.7 in)
199783.6 mm (3.3 in)
199869.1 mm (2.7 in)
199961.5 mm (2.4 in)
2000108.1 mm (4.3 in)
2001106.1 mm (4.2 in)
200250.9 mm (2.0 in)
200342.1 mm (1.7 in)
200454.9 mm (2.2 in)
200586.4 mm (3.4 in)
200637.7 mm (1.5 in)
200737.1 mm (1.5 in)
200828.2 mm (1.1 in)
200958.5 mm (2.3 in)
201067.0 mm (2.6 in)
201187.0 mm (3.4 in)
201240.9 mm (1.6 in)
201366.8 mm (2.6 in)
2014103.6 mm (4.1 in)
201565.3 mm (2.6 in)
201692.4 mm (3.6 in)
201747.8 mm (1.9 in)
201872.1 mm (2.8 in)
201927.8 mm (1.1 in)
202060.9 mm (2.4 in)
202141.1 mm (1.6 in)
202272.6 mm (2.9 in)
202390.2 mm (3.6 in)
202436.3 mm (1.4 in)
202528.9 mm (1.1 in)
202634.1 mm (1.3 in)

Longest dry spell (CDD)

Longest dry spell (CDD) at Wind Cave by year The longest dry spell of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 50 days in 1999, marked on the chart; the median year is 29 days. 10203040501960198020002020Record: 50 days in 1999
The longest dry spell of the year at Wind Cave, 1948 to 2026. The record is 50 days in 1999, marked on the chart; the median year is 29 days.
Longest dry spell (CDD) at Wind Cave by year
YearLongest dry spell (CDD)
194836 days
194948 days
195043 days
195116 days
199034 days
199133 days
199245 days
199322 days
199433 days
199527 days
199627 days
199737 days
199838 days
199950 days
200028 days
200127 days
200237 days
200320 days
200433 days
200537 days
200628 days
200741 days
200839 days
200922 days
201028 days
201118 days
201227 days
201322 days
201429 days
201540 days
201632 days
201726 days
201824 days
201917 days
202030 days
202139 days
202227 days
202323 days
202441 days
202527 days
202629 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.

Frost Dates and Growing Season

32 years with a frost

Across 32 years with a frost, the median last spring frost at Wind Cave falls on 15 May and the median first autumn frost on 28 September, which leaves a median of 134 days between them.

Fitted over all years, the growing season changes by +4.1 days per decade at this station.

Frost dates and growing season at Wind Cave
MeasureMedian, all yearsEarliest periodRecent period (1993 to 2025)Recent against earliestFitted trend
Last spring frost15 Mayn/a15 Mayn/a-1.3 days per decade
First autumn frost28 Septembern/a30 Septembern/a+2.8 days per decade
Growing days134 daysn/a134 daysn/a+4.1 days per decade

A frost day is a day with a daily minimum at or below 0 C (32 F). The last spring frost and the first autumn frost are the last and first such days of the cold season, and growing days are the days between them. A negative trend for the last spring frost means it comes earlier.

Rainfall Return Levels

33 years, 1949 to 2024

A day with at least 43.5 mm (1.7 in) of rain is expected about once in 2 years. A day with at least 89.5 mm (3.5 in) of rain is expected about once in 100 years.

Rainfall return levels at Wind Cave: the daily rain expected about once in a given number of years
Expected about once inA day with at leastNote
2 years43.5 mm (1.7 in)
5 years57.1 mm (2.2 in)
10 years65.5 mm (2.6 in)
25 years75.6 mm (3.0 in)
50 years82.7 mm (3.3 in)Longer than the 33 years of record
100 years89.5 mm (3.5 in)Longer than the 33 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, 33 years of values from 1949 to 2024.

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: 88.1 mm (3.5 in) in 2000; 72.1 mm (2.8 in) in 1997; 67.3 mm (2.6 in) in 2023.

Download the Data

  • Data for Wind Cave standing records by year: CSV or JSON. Field meanings are on the data page.
  • Data for Wind Cave 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 2026-10-13 (13 October 2026). Records are computed by this site and are not official.

Data as of . Last revised (2026-10-13).