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

Heat Wave Continues in the West; Critical Fire Weather Conditions in the High 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. Critical fire weather conditions will continue over the next couple of days across portions of the High Plains as gusty winds and dry conditions persist. Read More >

Hazardous Weather Conditions

Current conditions at

Rapid City, Rapid City Regional Airport (KRAP)

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

Fair

60°F

16°C

Humidity 38%
Wind Speed NW 15 mph
Barometer 29.79 in (1009.3 mb)
Dewpoint 34°F (1°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 17 Mar 6:52 pm MDT
Extended Forecast for

Rapid City SD

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.

    Low: 40 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

    High: 73 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

    Low: 44 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.

    High: 77 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 6 mph.

    Low: 46 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Friday

    Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

    High: 80 °F

    Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming west in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.

    Low: 51 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 6 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.

    High: 83 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Saturday Night

    Saturday Night: A slight chance of rain before midnight, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.

    Low: 36 °F

    Slight Chance
    Rain then
    Slight Chance
    Rain/Snow

Detailed Forecast

Tonight
Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 6 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 31 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 73. Southwest wind 6 to 13 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. West wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 23 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 46. West wind around 6 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming west in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 83. West wind 6 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Saturday Night
A slight chance of rain before midnight, then a slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 54.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 32.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 64.
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Forecast Area
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Rapid City SD
 44.08°N 103.24°W (Elev. 3291 ft)
Last Update:
5:13 pm MDT Mar 17, 2026
Forecast Valid:
7pm MDT Mar 17, 2026-6pm MDT Mar 24, 2026
 
Forecast Discussion
 
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Additional Resources

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High Temperature

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Chance of Precipitation