Weather on May 21 at Badlands
Badlands National Park
Based on 55 years of data from Rapid City, SD
Elevation Note: Badlands sits at 3,200 ft. Expect temperatures 11°F cooler than the data shown below, which comes from Rapid City, SD at a lower elevation.
Planning Your Visit
May 21st in Badlands National Park (via Rapid City, SD) typically brings mild spring weather, with average highs around 69°F and lows near 46°F. Over 55 years of records, the warmest May 21st was in 1992 (74°F average), while the coldest was 2019 (34°F) — a 40°F range across recorded history. Precipitation has occurred on 47% of recorded May 21st dates, with snow falling 2% of the time (heaviest snowfall: 1.5"). The last decade has been 7.8°F cooler on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
The last decade has been 7.8°F cooler on this date compared to 20-30 years ago.
Planning for May 21st in Badlands? Great weather for outdoor activities. Consider bringing rain gear or an umbrella.
Year by Year History
| Year | High | Low | Precip | Snow |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 63°F | 39°F | 0.03" | 0" |
| 2024 | 56°F | 44°F | 0.36" | 0" |
| 2023 | 75°F | 59°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2022 | 47°F | 34°F | 0.08" | 0" |
| 2021 | 58°F | 39°F | 0.43" | 0" |
| 2020 | 77°F | 46°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2019 | 38°F | 31°F | 5" | 1.5" |
| 2018 | 74°F | 38°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2017 | 64°F | 43°F | 0.2" | 0" |
| 2016 | 66°F | 53°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2015 | 62°F | 40°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2014 | 62°F | 47°F | 0.36" | 0" |
| 2013 | 48°F | 41°F | 0.41" | 0" |
| 2012 | 86°F | 48°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2011 | 56°F | 48°F | 1.4" | 0" |
| 2010 | 64°F | 47°F | 1.12" | 0" |
| 2009 | 63°F | 47°F | 0.05" | 0" |
| 2008 | 63°F | 45°F | 0.15" | 0" |
| 2007 | 84°F | 56°F | 0.51" | 0" |
| 2006 | 73°F | 48°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2005 | 80°F | 57°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2004 | 73°F | 48°F | 1.47" | 0" |
| 2003 | 70°F | 39°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2002 | 78°F | 49°F | 0.15" | 0" |
| 2001 | 58°F | 41°F | 0" | 0" |
| 2000 | 75°F | 54°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1999 | 76°F | 52°F | 0.13" | 0" |
| 1998 | 60°F | 50°F | 1.91" | 0" |
| 1997 | 75°F | 48°F | 0.58" | 0" |
| 1996 | 69°F | 46°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1995 | 64°F | 42°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1994 | 72°F | 46°F | 1.07" | 0" |
| 1993 | 67°F | 37°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1992 | 88°F | 60°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1991 | 78°F | 53°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1990 | 64°F | 35°F | -- | 0" |
| 1989 | 71°F | 39°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1988 | 67°F | 43°F | 0.23" | 0" |
| 1987 | 50°F | 41°F | 0.18" | 0" |
| 1986 | 79°F | 53°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1985 | 84°F | 52°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1984 | 88°F | 51°F | 0.99" | 0" |
| 1983 | 73°F | 36°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1982 | 59°F | 45°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1981 | 71°F | 48°F | 0.03" | 0" |
| 1980 | 86°F | 57°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1979 | 78°F | 41°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1978 | 76°F | 41°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1977 | 60°F | 48°F | 1.14" | 0" |
| 1976 | 68°F | 49°F | 1.57" | 0" |
| 1975 | 51°F | 42°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1974 | 68°F | 28°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1973 | 80°F | 51°F | 0.13" | 0" |
| 1972 | 82°F | 54°F | 0" | 0" |
| 1971 | 72°F | 45°F | 0" | 0" |