The first true arctic chill of the season has settled across South Dakota, gripping the Sioux Falls region in a deep freeze this Sunday morning. The air is sharp and dry — each breath visible, each gust of wind cutting deeper into the skin. For many residents, this is the start of the season’s first real winter stretch.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, temperatures will stay below freezing all week, with highs struggling to reach 25°F and nighttime lows plunging into the single digits. Wind chills could dip to near -20°F by midweek, especially Wednesday into Thursday morning, when bitter northwest winds meet clear skies.
A few flurries are possible through early Sunday, but the next notable snow chance arrives Tuesday night into Wednesday. Forecast models suggest a 20% chance of light snow, mainly along I-29 and south into northwest Iowa. While accumulations are expected to remain minor, any new snowfall could create slick spots as it compacts and refreezes in subzero wind chills.
Residents are urged to dress in layers and limit outdoor exposure, particularly during early mornings when wind chills are most severe. Pets and livestock should also be protected from the dangerous cold. For travelers, black ice is likely on shaded rural roads and bridges where melting snow refreezes each evening.
By Friday, temperatures may climb slightly into the upper 20s, though forecasters expect another reinforcing shot of cold air by next weekend — keeping early December firmly in winter’s grip.
Five-Day Outlook (Sioux Falls, SD):
- Monday: Mostly cloudy, high 21°F, low 2°F.
- Tuesday: Partly sunny, high 27°F, low 14°F.
- Wednesday: 20% chance snow, high 24°F, low -10°F.
- Thursday: Mostly cloudy, high near 20°F.
- Friday: Mostly cloudy, high near 28°F.
