SIOUX FALLS, S.D. – A warm and windy Columbus Day will give way to cooler, unsettled weather as showers return across eastern South Dakota by Tuesday morning. After a stretch of unseasonably warm air this weekend, temperatures will tumble about 20 degrees as gusty northwest winds signal a shift toward a more typical mid-October pattern.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, breezy south winds will push highs near 80 degrees Monday, but a cold front late Monday night will usher in clouds, light rain, and noticeably cooler air for Tuesday. Showers will become more likely through the day, with rainfall amounts generally light but enough to dampen morning commutes along I-29, I-90, and surrounding rural routes.
Fire danger will ease thanks to higher humidity and scattered rainfall, though gusty winds up to 35 mph may still pose short-term risks in open fields. Residents should secure lightweight outdoor decorations and prepare for a cooler, wetter stretch through late week. Morning lows will dip into the 40s, signaling a clear end to the recent early fall warmth.
By Wednesday, skies will gradually clear with another round of showers possible Thursday before a calmer, seasonable pattern returns next weekend. Pumpkin patch outings and leaf-viewing plans later this week should benefit from sunnier, cooler afternoons—ideal for true fall weather.
Five-Day Forecast for Sioux Falls, SD:
Mon: 80/60 – Breezy and warm; partly sunny with gusts to 35 mph.
Tue: 54/46 – Cloudy with scattered showers; turning cooler and breezy.
Wed: 65/46 – Mostly cloudy; slight chance of showers early.
Thu: 74/50 – Partly sunny and mild; isolated afternoon shower possible.
Fri: 60/40 – Dry and cooler; crisp fall air returns by evening.
