PIERRE, S.D. – NOAA’s latest Winter 2025–2026 outlook, released Thursday, Oct. 16, shows South Dakota heading into a cold, snowy, and windy start to the new year — the kind of winter that tests endurance across the Plains. The Climate Prediction Center’s data signals above-normal precipitation and below-normal temperatures statewide, a classic La Niña setup favoring frequent snow and Arctic surges.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, “We’re expecting repeated cold fronts and several strong snow systems between January and March.” Northern and western South Dakota — including Aberdeen, Watertown, and Rapid City — could see the most persistent snowpack and below-zero temperatures. Central and southeastern areas, such as Pierre and Sioux Falls, may face alternating rounds of snow, sleet, and ice.
The most active stretch is projected for late January through mid-February, when fast-moving clippers and strong winds could produce blizzard conditions across open country. Travel along I-90, I-29, and U.S. 83 may be severely impacted by drifting snow and whiteouts. SD DOT urges motorists to pack winter kits and avoid travel during high-wind events.
Forecasters warn that colder-than-average temperatures may persist into March, keeping frost deep and snow cover widespread well into early spring. Livestock owners and rural residents are encouraged to prepare feed, fuel, and backup power supplies before severe weather sets in.
For South Dakota, Winter 2026 looks long, cold, and formidable — a season where preparedness will be vital to stay safe and mobile across the frozen Plains.
