National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Early Heat Wave in the West; Fire Concerns in the Plains

An anomalously early heat wave will continue to intensify and expand across the West and Southwest as the week progresses. Numerous daily and potentially monthly record highs are expected to be broken. Elevated to critical fire weather conditions are expected today across the High Plains and southern Plains. Lake effect snow downwind of the Great Lakes will taper off today. Read More >

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Current conditions at

Rapid City, Rapid City Regional Airport (KRAP)

Lat: 44.05°NLon: 103.05°WElev: 3202ft.

A Few Clouds

46°F

8°C

Humidity 51%
Wind Speed Calm
Barometer 29.70 in (1007.6 mb)
Dewpoint 29°F (-2°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 17 Mar 9:52 am MDT
Extended Forecast for

Rapid Valley SD

  • Today

    Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.

    High: 66 °F

    Mostly Sunny
    and Breezy

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 8 to 13 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.

    Low: 37 °F

    Partly Cloudy
    and Breezy
    then Mostly
    Clear

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind 6 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

    High: 76 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

    Low: 42 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

    High: 79 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind around 7 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

    Low: 45 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Friday

    Friday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

    High: 80 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 47. North wind 8 to 10 mph becoming west in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.

    Low: 47 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy.

    High: 78 °F

    Mostly Sunny
    then Mostly
    Sunny and
    Breezy

Detailed Forecast

Today
Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. Breezy, with a northwest wind 16 to 26 mph, with gusts as high as 45 mph.
Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 37. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 8 to 13 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 36 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind 6 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Wednesday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 42. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 79. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 45. West wind around 7 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Friday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 47. North wind 8 to 10 mph becoming west in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 78. Breezy.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of rain before midnight. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35. Breezy.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 54. Breezy.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Monday
A slight chance of rain and snow. Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
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Forecast Area
Tiles ©ESRI

ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Rapid Valley SD
 44.06°N 103.15°W (Elev. 3107 ft)
Last Update:
8:32 am MDT Mar 17, 2026
Forecast Valid:
10am MDT Mar 17, 2026-6pm MDT Mar 23, 2026
 
Forecast Discussion
 
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Additional Resources

Radar & Satellite Image

Link to Local Radar Data Link to Satellite Data

Hourly Weather Forecast

National Digital Forecast Database

National Digital Forecast Database Maximum Temperature Forecast

High Temperature

National Digital Forecast Database Weather Element Forecast

Chance of Precipitation