Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Warm Saturday evening plans could turn hazardous within hours as powerful north winds surge in after sunset, bringing gusts over 40 mph and a rapid temperature drop before sunrise Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, strong north winds will develop late Saturday evening and intensify overnight, with gusts exceeding 40 mph through the early morning hours Sunday. Temperatures will fall sharply, driving wind chills down to near 25°F by daybreak.
The sudden shift will impact much of eastern South Dakota, including Sioux Falls, Brookings, and Mitchell, where open roadways like I-29 and I-90 could see difficult travel due to crosswinds. High-profile vehicles face the greatest risk overnight as gusts peak. The combination of dry conditions and strong winds also raises the threat for fast-moving grass fires, especially in rural areas.
Officials urge residents to secure outdoor items, avoid leaving fires unattended, and fully extinguish fire pits before going indoors. Charging devices ahead of the wind event is also recommended in case of isolated outages.
Conditions begin stabilizing after sunrise Sunday, but brisk winds and colder air will linger into the afternoon. Additional advisories may be issued if fire risk or wind impacts increase overnight.
