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

53°F

12°C

Humidity 47%
Wind Speed N 13 mph
Barometer 29.83 in (1010.4 mb)
Dewpoint 33°F (1°C)
Visibility 10.00 mi
Wind Chill49°F (9°C)
Last update 17 Mar 9:52 pm MDT
Extended Forecast for

Ellsworth Air Force Base SD

  • Tonight

    Tonight: Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

    Low: 39 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Wednesday

    Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.

    High: 75 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Wednesday Night

    Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 42. West wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.

    Low: 42 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Thursday

    Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.

    High: 77 °F

    Mostly Sunny

  • Thursday Night

    Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.

    Low: 44 °F

    Partly Cloudy

  • Friday

    Friday: Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.

    High: 80 °F

    Sunny

  • Friday Night

    Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph.

    Low: 46 °F

    Mostly Clear

  • Saturday

    Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 8 to 17 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 29 mph.

    High: 80 °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 35.

    Low: 35 °F

    Slight Chance
    Rain then
    Slight Chance
    Rain/Snow

Detailed Forecast

Tonight
Mostly clear, with a low around 39. Northwest wind 10 to 14 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Wednesday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 75. West wind 7 to 12 mph increasing to 13 to 18 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph.
Wednesday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 42. West wind 9 to 17 mph, with gusts as high as 28 mph.
Thursday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 77. Northwest wind 6 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Thursday Night
Partly cloudy, with a low around 44. West wind around 8 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Friday
Sunny, with a high near 80. Northwest wind 8 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph.
Friday Night
Mostly clear, with a low around 46. North wind 7 to 9 mph becoming southwest in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 17 mph.
Saturday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 80. West wind 8 to 17 mph becoming north 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 35.
Sunday
Partly sunny, with a high near 53.
Sunday Night
A slight chance of rain and snow. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30.
Monday
Mostly sunny, with a high near 61.
Monday Night
Mostly cloudy, with a low around 35.
Tuesday
Partly sunny, with a high near 65.
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Forecast Area
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ABOUT THIS FORECAST

 
Point Forecast:
Ellsworth Air Force Base SD
 44.15°N 103.1°W (Elev. 3202 ft)
Last Update:
9:22 pm MDT Mar 17, 2026
Forecast Valid:
10pm 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

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High Temperature

National Digital Forecast Database Weather Element Forecast

Chance of Precipitation