Climate Comfort Score
57/100
Moderate
2026 data Public-data reference. official source
30-year climate normals from 1 weather station (1991-2020).
Lead, South Dakota has an average annual temperature of 46°F and a climate comfort score of 57/100 (Moderate). Annual precipitation totals 31.8", including 183.9" of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year normals (1991–2020).
Avg Temperature
46°F (8°C)
Avg High
58°F
Avg Low
35°F
Annual Precip
31.8"
Annual Snow
183.9"
Comfort Score
57/100
Moderate
Avg Annual Temperature
46°F
30-year mean (NOAA NCEI)
Annual Precipitation
31.8"
Plus 183.9" of snow
Comfort score vs national 100-point ceiling (Lead) 57.0%
National median (≈55)
PlainClimate composite — temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, extreme-weather frequency. Moderate for the Lead area.
Warming context for Lead
MethodologyHow the U.S. land temperature anomaly tracks against the global mean since 1900. The current NOAA 1991-2020 normal for Lead captures average conditions across the spread shown — the most recent decade is warmer than the 30-year mean.
- 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
Monthly Temperatures
Average daily high and low temperatures by month
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Mean | Precip | Snow | Freeze Days | 90°F+ Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 38°F (3°C) | 18°F (-8°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.5" | 24.8" | 28.2 | 0.0 |
| February | 39°F (4°C) | 18°F (-8°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.8" | 26.2" | 25.4 | 0.0 |
| March | 47°F (8°C) | 25°F (-4°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 2.2" | 27.6" | 24.5 | 0.0 |
| April | 54°F (12°C) | 31°F (0°C) | 43°F (6°C) | 3.5" | 29.0" | 17.2 | 0.0 |
| May | 63°F (17°C) | 41°F (5°C) | 52°F (11°C) | 4.9" | 6.7" | 6.1 | 0.0 |
| June | 74°F (23°C) | 50°F (10°C) | 62°F (17°C) | 3.8" | 0.9" | 0.3 | 0.8 |
| July | 82°F (28°C) | 57°F (14°C) | 69°F (21°C) | 3.1" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 3.1 |
| August | 81°F (27°C) | 55°F (13°C) | 68°F (20°C) | 2.3" | 0.0" | 0.0 | 1.8 |
| September | 72°F (22°C) | 47°F (8°C) | 60°F (15°C) | 2.0" | 1.8" | 1.5 | 0.5 |
| October | 57°F (14°C) | 35°F (2°C) | 46°F (8°C) | 3.3" | 19.3" | 12.5 | 0.0 |
| November | 46°F (8°C) | 25°F (-4°C) | 36°F (2°C) | 1.7" | 22.3" | 22.6 | 0.0 |
| December | 38°F (3°C) | 19°F (-7°C) | 28°F (-2°C) | 1.5" | 25.3" | 28.3 | 0.0 |
Monthly Precipitation
Average monthly rainfall and snowfall
January 1.5"
Snow: 24.8"
10.6 days with precipitation
February 1.8"
Snow: 26.2"
11.2 days with precipitation
March 2.2"
Snow: 27.6"
11.2 days with precipitation
April 3.5"
Snow: 29.0"
12.9 days with precipitation
May 4.9"
Snow: 6.7"
14.1 days with precipitation
June 3.8"
Snow: 0.9"
13.3 days with precipitation
July 3.1"
12.0 days with precipitation
August 2.3"
9.2 days with precipitation
September 2.0"
Snow: 1.8"
8.4 days with precipitation
October 3.3"
Snow: 19.3"
10.5 days with precipitation
November 1.7"
Snow: 22.3"
9.6 days with precipitation
December 1.5"
Snow: 25.3"
10.0 days with precipitation
Frost Dates & Growing Season
First Fall Freeze
September 29
50% probability date
Last Spring Freeze
May 18
50% probability date
Heating & Cooling Degree Days
Annual totals indicate energy demand for heating and cooling
Heating Degree Days
7,206
Higher = more heating needed
Cooling Degree Days
425
Higher = more cooling needed
Warmest Month
July
Coldest Month
January
Related Data
PlainEnviro
EPA environmental data — pollution, water quality, and environmental health by location
PlainCarbon
Carbon emissions data — greenhouse gas reporting and facility-level CO2 data
PlainHazard
Natural disaster data — weather-related hazards, FEMA declarations, and risk profiles
PlainAirData
EPA air quality data — AQI readings, pollutant levels, and air quality trends
Climate Guides
Climate Insight: Lead, SD
The NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals describe Lead, South Dakota as a location with an annual average temperature of 46°F, ranging from a mean daily high of 58°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 USC00394834, 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. Lead receives roughly 31.8 inches of precipitation each year, with 183.9 inches typically falling as snow. Growing-season length varies with elevation and microclimate, with the last spring freeze near May 18 and the first fall freeze near September 29. For energy use, 7,206 heating degree days and 425 cooling degree days tell the story of how often furnaces and air conditioners run during a normal year.
On PlainClimate's composite comfort index, Lead scores 57/100 (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 Lead, SD? ▼
The average annual temperature in Lead, South Dakota is 46°F. The warmest month averages 82°F (28°C) and the coldest averages 18°F (-8°C).
How much rain does Lead get? ▼
Lead receives 31.8 inches of precipitation annually, including 183.9 inches of snow. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991-2020).
What is the comfort score for Lead? ▼
Lead has a climate comfort score of 57/100 (Moderate). This score considers temperature mildness, humidity, precipitation, and extreme weather frequency.
When is the growing season in Lead? ▼
Growing season data is not available for Lead.
How much energy does heating and cooling require in Lead? ▼
Lead has 7,206 heating degree days and 425 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 Lead 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 USC00394834. 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: USC00394834. For informational purposes only.
Read our methodology — how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Related
Data sourced from official public datasets. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainClimate Editorial
