We have a couple more sunny, warm days on the way. We are also keeping an eye on a potential winter storm that could impact the region later this week.

Today will be sunny and warm. High temps will range from the upper 40s in Sioux Falls to the low to mid 50s across central South Dakota. That’s 20 or more degrees above average for this time of year. Tomorrow and Wednesday won’t be quite as warm, but it will be dry with highs in the 40s.

We might have a white Christmas after all. There will be a big change in our weather pattern later this week. A winter storm system could bring snow and blowing snow to our region by Thursday and Friday. It’s way too early to get specific, but as of right now our data is suggesting that this could be a snowfall worthy of snowblowers and snowplows.

In addition to snow, it is going to get colder. A lot colder. By next weekend, lows are going to drop into the lower single digits with highs only reaching the teens by Saturday and Christmas Eve. So, whether we are shoveling snow or not, it looks like we will definitely need our warm winter coats by Christmas.

The weekend ahead will be mostly cloudy, but it will also be mild and not very windy. High temperatures will reach the 40s each day, which is between 10 and 20 degrees above average for this time of year. Parts of central and western South Dakota could warm into the low 50s today with cooler 40s tomorrow and Sunday.  
This weather pattern will hold strong into next week. Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday will be partly cloudy to mostly sunny with highs in the low to mid 40s.

Our weather will change dramatically on Thursday as a strong cold front blasts across the region. Wind, snow and much colder temperatures are possible by Thursday into Friday of next week. While it’s way too early to get specific with numbers, at this point I don’t think snow amounts will be huge. This does, however, give a little hope for at least some white on Christmas. I’ll let you know how things develop.

I hope you had a chance to enjoy the mild temperatures over the past several days, because we are going to make a very quick transition to winter today.

A Blizzard Warning is in effect for much of northeastern South Dakota today and includes Aberdeen, Watertown, Redfield and Sisseton. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for a large part of central, southern and western South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota and includes Sioux Falls, Pierre, Rapid City, Mitchell, Huron, Mobridge, Winner, Pipestone and Marshall.

Mild temperatures in the 30s and 40s this morning will fall quickly today as a powerful cold front blast across the Dakotas. Light rain will develop early in some places, changing to snow as temperatures fall. Snow will continue through the afternoon with the heaviest amounts – 3 to 5 inches – falling across northeastern South Dakota. Northwesterly wind gusts to 50+ mph will create blowing snow and blizzard conditions, especially across northeastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota where the heaviest snow will fall.

Further south and west, snowfall amounts will not be as high, but wind will still create areas of blowing snow that will reduce visibility at times.

In Sioux Falls, light rain will develop by mid to late morning and then change to snow as temperatures drop this afternoon. About an inch or two of snow is possible in the Sioux Falls area with strong wind gusts to 45 mph creating areas of blowing snow, especially in rural areas. The heaviest snow will fall across the northwest part of the Sioux Falls metro area (closer to 2 inches) with lighter amounts the further southeast you go.

As I mentioned earlier, temperatures will drop significantly through the day. It will be mild when you leave this house this morning, but temperatures will drop into the upper 20s to low 30s by late afternoon with the wind chill factor dropping into the teens to single digits.

The snow will end from west to east late this afternoon into this evening. Tonight and tomorrow will be windy and considerably colder. High temps will only reach the mid 20s tomorrow afternoon and it looks like that’s where our temperatures will stay through most of the week.