A complicated winter storm system will bring snow, blowing snow and even some freezing drizzle to the region today, tonight and tomorrow. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for much of eastern South Dakota, southwestern Minnesota and northwestern Iowa this evening into tomorrow. A Winter Storm Warning is in effect today and tonight for much of central and western South Dakota.

SNow will come in a couple of rounds. Round one has already developed across much of central and northern South Dakota this morning. Snow will continue to develop and move east throughout the day today. Wind gusts to 25 mph or higher will create areas of blowing snow at times. A second, heavier round of snow is likely tonight into tomorrow morning. In addition to the snow, parts of northwestern Iowa and southern Minnesota could get areas of freezing drizzle today and again tomorrow.

This is a large system that will affect everyone a little differently. Here’s a breakdown detailing the impact on specific parts of our region:  

Sioux Falls

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM NOW THROUGH NOON TUESDAY

Light snow is likely throughout the day today. Accumulation amounts will be less than an inch through this afternoon. Parts of northwestern Iowa will likely have some patchy freezing drizzle throughout the day today. A second, heavier round of snow will roll in tonight. About 2 to 4 inches of accumulation as possible with the second round. Snow will end by noon tomorrow.

Aberdeen/Watertown

WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THROUGH NOON TUESDAY

Light snow is likely today. Around an inch of accumulation as possible. North wind gusts to 25 mph will create areas of blowing snow especially in rural areas. A second, heavier round of snow is likely tonight. About 3 to 5 inches of accumulation as possible with this round. Overall snow accumulation will range from about 3 to 6 inches by the time the snow ends tomorrow morning.

Pierre/Central South Dakota

WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM TUESDAY

Areas of snow and blowing snow are likely today. 2 to 4 inches of accumulation is possible by the end of the day today. A second, heavier round of snow is likely tonight. An additional 4 to 6 inches of accumulation is possible. Snow will end tomorrow morning with total accumulation of 6 to 10 inches.

After ten straight days of below average high temperatures, we are going to turn up the heat for Valentine’s Day! Today will be mostly sunny with temps climbing into the low 40s this afternoon. I wish I could keep the mild temps around a bit longer, but this heat wave is only going to last a day. A cold front will blast through tomorrow and that means colder temperatures and light snow.  

Clouds will increase late tonight with areas of fog and frost possible after midnight. Tomorrow will be cloudy with most places reaching the day’s high by noon. By late tomorrow afternoon, most of the north will drop into the low teens or single digits. Sioux Falls will reach the upper 20s to low 30s by noon tomorrow with temps falling into the teens by 6 pm. Light snow is also possible tomorrow. Most places will only get a dusting, but a few places could get up to an inch.

Cold temperatures will stick around on Friday and then we will warm slightly for the weekend. Saturday and Sunday will be partly to mostly cloudy with high temps in the low to mid 30s. Get ready for more cold and light snow next week. By Monday and Tuesday highs will only reach the upper teens to low 20s.

Give yourself plenty of time to get where you’re going this morning. The snow has ended in most places, but roads and sidewalks are snow-covered and slippery. Snowfall amounts range from between 3 and 5 inches with a few locations reporting a bit more and others reporting a bit less. The official total at Sioux Falls Regional Airport will end up being right around 3 inches.  

Today will be mostly cloudy with another round of snow possible across central and southern South Dakota this afternoon. Amounts will range from about an inch or so in Pierre, Murdo, Gregory and Chamberlain to a couple of inches in Winner, Mission and White River. Some light snow is possible in Sioux Falls late this afternoon into this evening, but accumulation will be light across the metro area.

The rest of the weekend will be dry and cold. Highs will only reach the single digits to low teens today. By tomorrow morning, temperatures will drop to around 6 below zero in Sioux Falls to near 15 below zero across much of northern South Dakota. High temps will be stuck in the teens tomorrow, warming to the 20s by Sunday.

Some places could get a little light snow on Monday. Temps will warm a bit next week. Highs will stay in the teens to low 20s on Monday and Tuesday and then climb into the 30s by Wednesday.