The South Dakota Climate Office Records consists mainly of weather observation data sheets from South Dakota as well as some weather reporting stations in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wyoming. The data sheets are comprised of daily observations recorded by volunteers in communities throughout the state. Data about precipitation, air temperature, soil temperature, and various other forms of climatological information is gathered. Data gathered is varied based on the complexity of the observation equipment based at each station.

Also included are various office records, such as graduate student master's theses, photographs, and grants.