After a really warm start to 2019, our weather will soon look and feel like it is supposed to this time of year. It is January 16th and there have only been two days this month with a below average high temperature. In fact, most days have been 5 to 10 degrees above average for this time of year. That will change today.

Today will be much colder. We will start today with some sunshine, but clouds will increase throughout the day. High temperatures will range from the low 20s in Sioux Falls and across the South to the low teens in the north this afternoon.

A weak disturbance will slide across the region tonight, bringing areas of light snow to locations along and south of I-90. Accumulation will be light, ranging from a dusting to around a half inch in some places.

A more significant winter storm system will move across the region Thursday night and Friday. The system will produce snowfall amounts from 2 to around 6 inches with locally heavier amounts. As of right now, all of our data suggests that the heaviest snow will fall across the southern two-thirds of South Dakota, Southwestern Minnesota, Eastern Nebraska and much of Iowa. Wind will not be as strong as it was with the post-Christmas winter storm, but gusts to between 20 and 30 mph will create areas of blowing snow late Friday and Friday night. Snow will end on Friday night and travel conditions will improve Saturday morning. Stay tuned for updates on this system. We will be adjusting the snow forecast as the system develops.

The snow will be followed by a blast of bitterly cold Arctic air. By Saturday and Sunday high temperatures will drop into the single digits with morning lows falling into the teens below zero.

Next week will start with another shot of light snow on Monday. High temperatures will warm back into the upper teens to low 20s by Monday and Tuesday.