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.

Fair and Breezy

66°F

19°C

Humidity 28%
Wind Speed NW 22 G 35 mph
Barometer 29.76 in (1007.9 mb)
Dewpoint 32°F (0°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Last update 17 Mar 5:52 pm MDT
Extended Forecast for

2 Miles NNW Rapid City SD

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 40. Northwest wind 7 to 16 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph.

    Low: 40 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.

    High: 73 °F

    Sunny

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 44. Northwest wind 6 to 9 mph, with gusts as high as 21 mph.

    Low: 44 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

    High: 76 °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 26 mph.

    High: 80 °F

    Sunny

  • Friday Night

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

    Low: 51 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 6 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

    High: 82 °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 7 to 16 mph becoming west after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 34 mph.
Wednesday
Sunny, with a high near 73. West wind 6 to 14 mph, with gusts 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 21 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 76. West wind 6 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 24 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 26 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 51. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming southwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. West wind 6 to 14 mph becoming northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 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 60.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 36.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 63.
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Forecast Area
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
2 Miles NNW Rapid City SD
 44.1°N 103.24°W (Elev. 3353 ft)
Last Update:
5:13 pm MDT Mar 17, 2026
Forecast Valid:
6pm MDT Mar 17, 2026-6pm MDT Mar 24, 2026
 
Forecast Discussion
 
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Additional Resources

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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