National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Severe Thunderstorms in the Central U.S.; Record Temperatures Likely for Eastern U.S.

Several rounds of severe thunderstorms and heavy rain are forecast from the southern Plains to the Midwest through Friday. Large hail, damaging wind gusts, and tornadoes are possible. A significant warm-up is expected for much of the Eastern U.S. into next week. Several daily record temperature records are likely to be broken. Fire weather concerns will return to the central/southern High Plains. Read More >

The following tables show the climate information for Rapid City, Gillette, Lead, Winner, Lemmon, Sundance, Spearfish, Newcastle, Hot Springs, and Custer on St. Patrick’s Day, as well as the weather in Rapid City and Gillette for the past 10 St. Patrick’s Days. Average highs around the area on March 17th are in the 40s, with average lows in the 20s.

In 2023, much of the area experienced their coldest St. Patrick's Day of the last decade, with highs generally in the 20s and light snow in some locations. However, in 2024, milder conditions returned, with near-normal temperatures and dry weather.