National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Heavy Rainfall Continues from the Southwest to the Plains; Severe Thunderstorms in the Southern Plains

Pacific tropical moisture wrapping into a storm will continue a multi-day heavy rainfall event this week that will impact the Southwest into the Plains. Scattered severe thunderstorms capable of mainly severe wind gusts appear possible across portions of the southern Plains this afternoon into tonight. There is also a risk of isolated severe winds gusts and tornadoes in Kansas into Nebraska. Read More >

The following tables show the climate information for Rapid City, Gillette, Lead, Winner, Lemmon, Sundance, Spearfish, Newcastle, Hot Springs, and Custer on Labor Day, as well as the weather in Rapid City and Gillette for the past 10 Labor Days. Record highs around the area have reached the 90s to 100s, with record lows in the 20s and 30s.

Labor Day of 2020 was unique, as the first Labor Day snow on record was observed in many locations, including 1" of snow in downtown Rapid City. It was also the wettest Labor Day on record for Rapid City, with 0.97" of precipitation. Following two hot and dry Labor Days, Labor Day of 2023 featured warm temperatures and severe thunderstorms. However, 2024 brought a return of hot and dry conditions, with both Rapid City and Gillette reaching 98°—their warmest Labor Day temperatures over at least the past decade.