PlainClimate
2026 data Public-data reference. official source

Custer CO, SD Climate

Temperature, precipitation, and comfort score from NOAA NCEI 1991-2020 normals →

30-year climate normals from 1 weather station (1991-2020).

Custer CO, South Dakota has an average annual temperature of 43°F and a climate comfort score of 47/100 (Moderate). Annual precipitation totals 19.8". Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).

Avg Temperature

43°F (6°C)

Avg High

54°F

Avg Low

32°F

Annual Precip

19.8"

Comfort Score

47/100

Moderate

Climate Comfort Score

47/100

Moderate

Avg Annual Temperature

43°F

30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)

Annual Precipitation

19.8"

Liquid-equivalent total

Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Custer CO) 47.0%
National median (≈55)

PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Moderate for the Custer CO area.

Warming context for Custer CO

Methodology

How the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Custer CO captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.

Warming context — U.S. vs global, with Paris reference lines Anomaly chart from 1900 to 2024. Local series shows warming of 0.11 °C per decade versus a global rate of 0.11 °C per decade (ratio 1.00). Paris Agreement thresholds at 1.5 and 2.0 °C are dashed. -1.0°C -0.5°C +0.0°C +0.5°C +1.0°C +1.5°C +2.0°C +2.5°C Paris 1.5°C Paris 2.0°C 1900192019401960198020002020
  • United States land mean (NOAA NCEI) +0.11 °C/decade
  • Global anomaly (NASA GISTEMP) +0.11 °C/decade
  • Paris Agreement thresholds 1.5°C / 2.0°C
Sources: NOAA NCEI, NASA GISTEMP. Paris thresholds per IPCC AR6 WG1.

Monthly Temperatures

Average daily high and low temperatures by month

Month Avg High Avg Low Mean
January 35°F (2°C) 15°F (-9°C) 25°F (-4°C)
February 35°F (2°C) 15°F (-9°C) 25°F (-4°C)
March 44°F (6°C) 22°F (-5°C) 33°F (0°C)
April 50°F (10°C) 29°F (-2°C) 39°F (4°C)
May 60°F (15°C) 38°F (3°C) 49°F (9°C)
June 71°F (22°C) 47°F (8°C) 59°F (15°C)
July 79°F (26°C) 54°F (12°C) 67°F (19°C)
August 78°F (25°C) 52°F (11°C) 65°F (18°C)
September 69°F (21°C) 43°F (6°C) 56°F (13°C)
October 54°F (12°C) 32°F (0°C) 43°F (6°C)
November 43°F (6°C) 22°F (-5°C) 33°F (0°C)
December 35°F (2°C) 16°F (-9°C) 25°F (-4°C)

Monthly Precipitation

Average monthly rainfall

January 0.4"

5.4 days with precipitation

February 0.6"

7.2 days with precipitation

March 0.9"

8.0 days with precipitation

April 2.4"

11.5 days with precipitation

May 3.0"

14.3 days with precipitation

June 3.2"

12.6 days with precipitation

July 3.3"

12.0 days with precipitation

August 2.1"

10.0 days with precipitation

September 1.6"

8.1 days with precipitation

October 1.3"

8.5 days with precipitation

November 0.5"

5.6 days with precipitation

December 0.5"

5.9 days with precipitation

Frost Dates & Growing Season

First Fall Freeze

September 24

50% probability date

Last Spring Freeze

May 23

50% probability date

Heating & Cooling Degree Days

Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling

Heating Degree Days

8,152

Higher = more heating needed

Cooling Degree Days

210

Higher = more cooling needed

Warmest Month

July

Coldest Month

January

Humidity & Wind

Monthly averages from hourly observations

Month Humidity Wind (mph)
January 56% 7.1
February 56% 6.8
March 56% 6.8
April 58% 7.1
May 62% 6.9
June 56% 6.2
July 56% 5.8
August 49% 5.9
September 52% 6.2
October 52% 6.5
November 55% 6.9
December 58% -410.0

Related Data

Climate Guides

Climate Insight: Custer CO, SD

The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Custer CO, South Dakota as a location with an annual average temperature of 43°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 54°F to a mean daily low of 32°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from station USW00094032, smooth out year-to-year variability and give a baseline expectation for typical conditions in any given month.

Precipitation patterns matter as much as temperature for anyone planning to live, garden, or travel here. Custer CO receives roughly 19.8 inches of precipitation each year, predominantly as rainfall. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near May 23 and the first fall freeze near September 24. For energy use, 8,152 heating degree days and 210 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.

On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Custer CO scores 47/100 (Moderate), a blended measure that weighs temperature mildness, precipitation moderation, and extreme-weather frequency against one another. Use the monthly tables above to plan around specific windows — shoulder seasons for mild highs and lows, peak summer for July-driven heat, or deep winter for January-driven cold. All figures here are thirty-year averages: any single year may run warmer, wetter, drier, or cooler than the normal, so treat them as planning guidance rather than forecasts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average temperature in Custer CO, SD?
The average annual temperature in Custer CO, South Dakota is 43°F. The warmest month averages 79°F (26°C) and the coldest averages 15°F (-9°C).
How much rain does Custer CO get?
Custer CO receives 19.8 inches of precipitation annually. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Custer CO?
Custer CO has a climate comfort score of 47/100 (Moderate). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Custer CO?
Growing season data is not available for Custer CO.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Custer CO?
Custer CO has 8,152 heating degree days and 210 cooling degree days annually. Higher heating degree days indicate greater winter energy demand, while higher cooling degree days indicate greater summer cooling needs.
Where does this Custer CO climate data come from?
All climate data comes from NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1, covering the 30-year period from 1991 to 2020. Data is collected from weather station USW00094032. These 30-year averages are the standard reference for typical weather conditions.

Data Sources

Data source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals v1.0.1 (1991-2020). Station: USW00094032. For informational purposes only.

Related

Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial