Winter storm expected to hit western South Dakota later this week
Trevor J. Mitchell
Forecasts are now saying that Sioux Falls could see light accumulations of snow later this week — while parts of western South Dakota could be looking at as much as a foot.
A rainy Thursday will transition into snow early Friday morning in Sioux Falls, with winds of 15-20 miles per hour and possible accumulation of less than a half inch of snow.
Light snow will remain possible until Saturday afternoon when temperatures rise above freezing, and temperatures on Sunday will reach a high of 42.
On the western side of the state, the National Weather Service is telling people to prepare for a winter storm, with Rapid City looking at a possibility of 6-11 inches of snow by Friday, and Spearfish potentially getting 19 inches of snow. Mobridge could get 21 inches of snow.
Snowfall amounts are projected to drop off quickly in eastern South Dakota, with Sioux Falls forecasted to receive less than an inch of snow. Mitchell could get 1-2 inches, Watertown 3-4 and Huron 4-6.
The majority of western and parts of northeastern South Dakota are under a winter storm watch until noon on Friday. The Black Hills are under a winter storm warning. The remainder of the state is under a hazardous weather outlook until Monday.
Temperature change timing
NWS Sioux Falls Daily Forecast
Today: Sunny, with a high near 73. Breezy, with a south wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph.
Tonight: Clear, with a low around 53. South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph.
Wednesday: A slight chance of showers and thunderstorms after 4pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 71. Breezy, with a south wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Wednesday Night: A chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 1am. Cloudy, with a low around 54. South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.
Thursday: Rain likely. Cloudy, with a temperature falling to around 48 by 5pm. East wind 5 to 15 mph becoming north in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 70%.
Thursday Night: Rain before 3am, then rain and snow between 3am and 4am, then snow after 4am. Low around 34. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday: Rain and snow before 11am, then rain likely between 11am and 3pm, then a chance of rain and snow after 3pm. High near 37. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.
Friday Night: A chance of snow before 7pm, then a chance of snow after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Blustery. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday: A chance of rain and snow before noon, then a chance of rain between noon and 1pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 38. Breezy. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 42.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Columbus Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.