We have a couple of sunny, warm days ahead, but the weather is going to change in a very big way as we get closer to the weekend. Strong storms are possible later this week with rain and cooler temperatures through the weekend. Unfortunately, rain could be heavy. Two to three or more inches of rain is possible across parts of our region through early next week.

Today will be mostly sunny and a bit warmer than yesterday. High temperatures will range from the low to mid 80s this afternoon. It could be a bit breezy at times. Wind will be from the south at about 10-20 mph with occasional gusts to 25 mph across central and northern South Dakota.

We are keeping an eye on a system that it will bring a line of thunderstorms across North Dakota, parts of extreme northern and northeastern South Dakota into western Minnesota tonight. A couple of storms could be severe with large hail and strong straight-line wind gusts being the main threat. Storms will likely roll across northeastern South Dakota by mid to late evening and continue east/southeast into western Minnesota after midnight.

We will climb back into the 80s one more time tomorrow afternoon, then our weather pattern will begin a dramatic change that will take us through the weekend and into next week.

By tomorrow night, an area of low pressure will begin to strengthen over the Rocky Mountains and this will bring plenty of moisture and energy for rain and thunderstorms. Some storms could be severe tomorrow night and again on Friday and Friday night, but at this point I think our biggest threat will be the potential for heavy rain. As of right now, models are suggesting that the best chance for heavy rain will be late Friday into Friday night and again late Saturday into Sunday. Some places could get two to three or more inches of rain through this weekend. The pattern won’t change much by early next week, either. More rain is possible Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

In addition to the rain, temperatures will also drop considerably this weekend. After reaching the low to mid 80s tomorrow, high temps will drop into the upper 60s Friday and Saturday. Temps will continue to fall into the upper 50s to low 60s on Sunday and will stay there through early next week.

There is a lot that will be happening later this week into this weekend. Phil, Sam and I will be watching the forecast very closely and will have updates as it develops.

After several cloudy, cold and wet days we finally have some dry, mild weather in the forecast. High temps will be back in the 60s this weekend with sunshine and 70s in the forecast for most of next week.

Today will be sunny and warmer. High temps will reach the low to mid 60s this afternoon.

A cold front will slide across the region tomorrow, bringing our only chance of rain on the 7 Day Forecast. Scattered showers and thundershowers will develop across central South Dakota tomorrow morning and move east to I-29 by early afternoon. One to two tenths of an inch of rain is possible in some places. In addition to the chance of rain, tomorrow will be breezy with highs in the low 60s. Sunday will be partly cloudy with highs remaining in the low 60s.

Monday will be sunny with high temps in the low 70s. That trend will continue with lots of sunshine and highs in the 70s all week long.

It is Severe Weather Awareness Week in South Dakota and Wednesday, April 24th is the day of the statewide tornado drill. A test Tornado Watch will be issued at 10 am and a test Tornado Warning will be issued at 10:15 am. Sirens will sound across the state of South Dakota when the test Tornado Warning is issued. In addition, you will likely get an alert on your phone or mobile device. This is the time to plan for severe weather. Know your shelter and be sure kids know where to go and what to do when severe weather strikes.

Another very important part of your severe weather safety plan is having a weather radio. Get a weather radio! A weather radio will wake you when severe weather strikes at night. Weather radios are different now. A weather radio with SAME technology (which is almost all of the new weather radios you will find on the market today) will only activate when severe weather is impacting your area.

If you need a weather radio, or if you have one but need help with programming, we’d love to give you a hand. This Friday from 11 am until 1 pm, Phil Schreck will be at the downtown Nyberg’s Ace programming weather radios. Next Monday from 5 pm until 7 pm, I will be at the 41st and Minnesota Nyberg’s Ace to help you program your weather radio. Bring your weather radio from home, or you can get one there (they’ll be on sale.) It doesn’t matter where you got your weather radio, we just want to be sure you have one and that it’s properly set and ready to go for the upcoming severe weather season.