The current season is Spring, but even though I’ve spent my entire life in South Dakota and should be quite aware that the snowfall never follows the dates marked on the calendar, I never really consider Winter to be over until the majority of the fluffy, white flakes have melted.

Here we are, in the month of April, still with plenty of snow in the Black Hills for everyone! Event though you’re not outside mountain biking or kayaking, you still have the chance to build a snowman, take out the sled or have a snowball fight. Admit it, once the summer heat comes our way, you’ll be wishing you could jump into a snow bank for a quick cool down.

Wondering what the current tally on snowfall has been after the recent storms? Well, here are the present numbers for what I consider to be our “Extended Winter.”

Lead: 269.8”
Deadwood: 224”
Spearfish: 120”
Rapid City: 75.5”
Fort Meade: 95”

I wonder how many snowmen could be made with 784.3” (slightly over 65 feet) of snow? That much snow could also equal one gigantic, very detailed snow fort!

Well, we’ll have our Spring of chirping birds and sunshine eventually. Until then, plenty of time for snow angels!