Winter is tightening its grip on eastern South Dakota, as light snow gives way to a blast of Arctic cold midweek.
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls reports that light snow, mainly north of Interstate 90, will continue through this afternoon and evening before tapering off tonight. Accumulations will stay under half an inch, but gusty winds could cause brief visibility reductions and slick spots on untreated roads.
Temperatures will fall into the teens and low 20s tonight, setting the stage for a much colder midweek stretch. Wednesday will remain breezy and cold, with highs only reaching the teens to low 20s despite some sunshine.
The most dangerous conditions arrive Wednesday night into Thursday morning, when temperatures plunge to between -10°F and -20°F, and wind chills could drop as low as -25°F to -30°F across the region.
These bitterly cold readings will pose a risk of frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 10 minutes. Residents should limit outdoor exposure, wear multiple layers, and make sure pets have warm shelter.
By Thursday, highs will recover slightly into the upper teens and mid-20s, but the air will remain sharply cold, and winds will keep conditions feeling subzero through much of the day.
No major snowstorms are expected for the rest of the week, but the NWS cautions that the combination of wind and extreme cold will create dangerous outdoor conditions across the Sioux Falls area and the northern Plains.
This Arctic outbreak marks one of the coldest starts to December in recent years for eastern South Dakota.
