Rapid City, SD – South Dakota is preparing for a week of intense weather, with severe thunderstorms and extreme heat in the forecast. Today’s temperatures are expected to reach between 89°F and 101°F, accompanied by hot and hazy conditions. According to the US National Weather Service in Rapid City, thunderstorms this afternoon may become severe, particularly in central South Dakota.
The forecast warns of potential wind gusts exceeding 60 mph, hail larger than one inch, and cloud-to-ground lightning. The combination of these factors and dry, windy conditions will lead to critical fire weather, especially in northeastern Wyoming. A Red Flag Warning has been issued for the northeastern Wyoming plains, effective from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. MDT today.
The warning highlights low relative humidity as low as 7%, west winds at 10 to 20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph, and high temperatures in the 90s. Residents are urged not to burn outdoors, avoid throwing cigarettes out of vehicles, and refrain from driving on dry grass.
The weather outlook for the rest of the week remains challenging. On Wednesday, temperatures will range from 78°F to 91°F, with a slight chance of thunderstorms. Thursday through Saturday will see temperatures in the mid to upper 90s, with Friday expected to be the hottest day, reaching up to 102°F.