Black Hills rainfall on the rise

It is common knowledge that the weather shifts quickly in the Black Hills. Scattered showers are not usual during the summer. However, this year the sky appears a little cloudier and the grass a little greener. 

Precipitation in Hill City is indeed on the rise this year compared to 2022 calculations from the Hill City Climate Station and U.S. Climate Data (USCD) averages. In fact, 2023 precipitation numbers have been higher every month with the exception of April.

January received 1.01 inches compared to the average .32, February received .70 inches compared to the average .55, March received 1.13 inches compared to the average 1.08 and April received 1.16 inches compared to the average 2.29. 

A large leap was seen in May. In May of 2022, there was 3.19 inches of precipitation. This year there was 5.57 inches compared to USCD’s average of 3.84. 

This trend continued into June. In 2022, Hill City got 2.76 inches, but in 2023 it got 7.30 while the average is 3.14. 

Increased precipitation is not limited to Hill City either. Most of the Black Hills has received additional precipitation since May. Judging by the forecast, the trend does not seem to be ending.

July has already seen some precipitation, and in 2022 the most precipitation of the year was seen in July with a total of 4.67 inches compared to the average 3.07. 

Jeff Johnson, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Rapid City, said the Black Hills are sitting in the right area for these weather disturbances to come across in the jet stream. Johnson also said once the rain starts, the ground gets saturated and moisture is able to stay in the lower levels of the atmosphere, meaning it primes the area for more rain as additional disturbances come through. 

“When we are in a drought and the ground is very dry, it takes a lot of rain and storms going because we don’t have moisture conditions in the ground,” he said. “At that point it’s only really what’s going on in the upper levels of the atmosphere.”

As a result of the increased precipitation, the drought situation has eased across the western part of the state. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the majority of Pennington County along with all of Meade and Lawrence County are no longer in drought conditions. 

In regards to the Black Hills National Forest, public affairs director Scott Jacobson said the abundance of rain has been beneficial in many areas, including reducing the fire danger. 

“The moisture helps the Ponderosa Pines to stay resilient to insects and disease. And, the rain has helped grass grow to help feed livestock and wildlife,” Jacobson said, “Runoff from the rain has helped fill streams and reservoirs, providing drinking water, improving fisheries downstream and benefiting recreationalists that like to boat, paddle board, fish and more.”

Temperatures are cooler this year as well. June of 2022 had a high of 91 and an average of 75.5. Meanwhile, June of 2023 had a high of 85 and an average of 72.5. The USCD’s June average temperature is 74. 

However, increased precipitation does not come without causing a few issues. 

City administrator Brett McMacken said increases in heavy rain generally cause three things. First, the rain and hail create a lot of debris. Gravel, leaves, branches and trash move onto the roads and can clog storm sewer inlets. All this needs to be cleaned up. 

The city also watches the creek levels at the bridges and culverts where the water flows through so any safety or traffic problems can be addressed. 

Another concern is infiltration. McMacken said, “Once that ground is so saturated, some of that water may go into our sanitary sewer, and that’s stuff that we will need to treat.”

Finally, the power flickers occasionally due to wind, branches blowing down or the power lines affected by the weather. 

“It’s a little bit of everything,” said McMacken. 

With these issues in mind, the Public Works Department has been clearing drainage ditches on Bishop Mountain Drive around the bridge and cleaning the drains on Deegan Drive. Smokey Drive, Forest Street and Short Street all needed to be repaired as well. 

The additional rain has affected gravel roads and driveways in town as well, and the runoff in the alley behind Granite Sports was “exorbitant” according to public works director Justin Asher. 

“We’re just doing our best,” said Asher. 

Despite the rainfall the public works team has been able to stay on top of the mowing. 

Usually, mowing and lawn maintenance slows down at this time of the year. However, Chuck Klafka, owner of Grumpy Grizzly Property Maintenance, said, “The moisture is more than welcome by my end of the maintenance industry because this just prolongs the mowing aspect and keeps everything green longer in the Hill City area.” 

Klafka hopes the weather stays cool and the fire danger stays low. The only negative impact he sees is some minor flooding. 

With the concern of flooding, Adventure Rentals has been paying attention to the off-road trails and working closely with the forest service to get mud puddles addressed. 

“The trails have been holding up pretty well from what we can see,” said owner Holly Niemann. 

Niemann said it does feel like people are not booking as far out as they normally would. Instead many are waiting until they get to town. Generally, rain is predicted frequently and may or may not come, but this year rentals are down a little due to the forecast. 

Nevertheless, Janet Wetovick-Bily, the executive director of the Hill City Area Chamber of Commerce, said the chamber and Visitor Information Center (VIC) teams have only reported three to four comments about the rain from tourists. 

“Our guests who have stopped have been prepared for the weather. They understand that we are in a mountainous climate and that weather is ever changing, unpredictable, and in the summer, afternoon showers or storms can occur; that weather is a fact of life,” said Wetovick-Bily.

Rather tourists are expressing an appreciation for the rain’s suppression of fire danger and the beauty of the Hills after a storm. 

When it is rainy, the chamber and VIC staff members are directing tourists to an array of indoor activities. If the tourists ever need additional clothing, gear or anything else due to the weather, staff members are providing these resources as well.