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Kennebec, SD Climate

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

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

Kennebec, South Dakota has an average annual temperature of 48°F and a climate comfort score of 62/100 (Good). Annual precipitation totals 20.8", including 39.6" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).

Avg Temperature

48°F (9°C)

Avg High

61°F

Avg Low

35°F

Annual Precip

20.8"

Annual Snow

39.6"

Comfort Score

62/100

Good

Climate Comfort Score

62/100

Good

Avg Annual Temperature

48°F

30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)

Annual Precipitation

20.8"

Plus 39.6" of snow

Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Kennebec) 62.0%
National median (≈55)

PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Good for the Kennebec area.

Warming context for Kennebec

Methodology

How the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Kennebec 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 32°F (0°C) 9°F (-13°C) 20°F (-6°C)
February 36°F (2°C) 13°F (-11°C) 25°F (-4°C)
March 49°F (9°C) 23°F (-5°C) 36°F (2°C)
April 62°F (16°C) 33°F (0°C) 47°F (8°C)
May 72°F (22°C) 45°F (7°C) 59°F (15°C)
June 82°F (28°C) 56°F (13°C) 69°F (21°C)
July 90°F (32°C) 61°F (16°C) 76°F (24°C)
August 88°F (31°C) 59°F (15°C) 74°F (23°C)
September 80°F (27°C) 50°F (10°C) 65°F (18°C)
October 64°F (18°C) 36°F (2°C) 50°F (10°C)
November 47°F (8°C) 22°F (-5°C) 35°F (2°C)
December 34°F (1°C) 13°F (-11°C) 23°F (-5°C)

Monthly Precipitation

Average monthly rainfall and snowfall

January 0.5"

Snow: 5.5"

4.3 days with precipitation

February 0.6"

Snow: 7.6"

4.9 days with precipitation

March 1.0"

Snow: 5.5"

5.0 days with precipitation

April 2.3"

Snow: 6.2"

8.7 days with precipitation

May 3.3"

9.8 days with precipitation

June 3.5"

10.0 days with precipitation

July 2.8"

8.0 days with precipitation

August 2.3"

7.2 days with precipitation

September 1.7"

6.3 days with precipitation

October 1.6"

Snow: 1.6"

6.6 days with precipitation

November 0.7"

Snow: 6.0"

4.5 days with precipitation

December 0.5"

Snow: 7.2"

4.5 days with precipitation

Frost Dates & Growing Season

First Fall Freeze

September 28

50% probability date

Last Spring Freeze

May 12

50% probability date

Heating & Cooling Degree Days

Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling

Heating Degree Days

7,042

Higher = more heating needed

Cooling Degree Days

929

Higher = more cooling needed

Warmest Month

July

Coldest Month

January

Related Data

Climate Guides

Climate Insight: Kennebec, SD

The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Kennebec, South Dakota as a location with an annual average temperature of 48°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 61°F to a mean daily low of 35°F. July is typically the warmest month of the year, while January is the coldest. These thirty-year averages, computed from station USC00394516, 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. Kennebec receives roughly 20.8 inches of precipitation each year, with 39.6 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near May 12 and the first fall freeze near September 28. For energy use, 7,042 heating degree days and 929 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.

On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Kennebec scores 62/100 (Good), 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 Kennebec, SD?
The average annual temperature in Kennebec, South Dakota is 48°F. The warmest month averages 90°F (32°C) and the coldest averages 9°F (-13°C).
How much rain does Kennebec get?
Kennebec receives 20.8 inches of precipitation annually, including 39.6 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Kennebec?
Kennebec has a climate comfort score of 62/100 (Good). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Kennebec?
Growing season data is not available for Kennebec.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Kennebec?
Kennebec has 7,042 heating degree days and 929 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 Kennebec 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 USC00394516. 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: USC00394516. For informational purposes only.

Related

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