Winters are cold and dry, with December being the coldest month in recent years, with a daily average temperature of . Chinook winds can warm temperatures above , doing so on average about 21 times from December to February. Temperature inversions, however, occasionally produce warmer temperatures in the Black Hills. On average, highs do not climb above freezing on 42 days, while the low temperature reaches on an average of seventeen nights. Snowfall is frequent but usually not heavy; March and April are typically the snowiest months. The seasonal total averages , although historically ranging from during 1980–81 to during 1985–86. Extensive snow cover does not remain for long, with only nine days seasonally with or more on the ground. Measurable snow has occurred in every month except July.