Weather
South Dakota Thanksgiving Travel: Snow, Ice Risk Nov. 18–24
Sioux Falls, SD – Thanksgiving travelers across South Dakota could face a changing winter weather pattern as precipitation chances increase heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about snow, fr
By Mara Ellison · 2026-11-11T05:32:16.803Z
Sioux Falls, SD – Thanksgiving travelers across South Dakota could face a changing winter weather pattern as precipitation chances increase heading into November 18–24, raising concerns about snow, freezing rain, ice and potentially hazardous highway conditions during the busy holiday travel period.
According to NOAA's Climate Prediction Center, its November 10 outlook favors above normal precipitation across portions of South Dakota and the northern Plains from Wednesday, November 18, through Tuesday, November 24.
The outlook highlights a widespread wetter than normal pattern extending from the western United States through the central Plains and Midwest. Some portions of the central Plains reach 70–80% probabilities of above normal precipitation, while South Dakota falls within the broader region of elevated precipitation chances.
Sioux Falls, Brookings and Eastern South Dakota Sioux Falls, Brookings, Watertown, Madison and surrounding communities could experience periods of unsettled weather as the precipitation pattern develops.
Travelers along Interstate 29 and Interstate 90 should monitor forecasts for rain, snow or mixed precipitation, particularly if temperatures fall below freezing during overnight or early morning hours.
Rapid City, Sturgis and the Black Hills Rapid City, Sturgis, Spearfish, Deadwood and surrounding Black Hills communities could face winter weather concerns if developing storm systems encounter colder air.
Higher elevations may be more susceptible to snowfall, while freezing precipitation could create hazardous conditions on mountain roads and Interstate 90.
Aberdeen, Huron and Northeastern South Dakota Aberdeen, Huron, Redfield and surrounding communities are also within the broader area favored for increased precipitation.
Snow, sleet and freezing rain remain possible precipitation types if temperatures support winter weather, potentially affecting travel along U.S. Highway 12 and U.S. Highway 281.
Pierre, Mitchell and Central South Dakota Pierre, Fort Pierre, Mitchell, Chamberlain and surrounding communities should also monitor the developing precipitation outlook.
Travelers along Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 83 could encounter changing road conditions if precipitation overlaps with colder temperatures.
Thanksgiving Travel: Could Winter Storms Develop? The elevated precipitation signal arrives ahead of Thanksgiving on Thursday, November 26, raising questions about possible snowstorms, icy roads and travel disruptions across South Dakota.
Although NOAA's accompanying temperature outlook favors above normal temperatures across much of the northern Plains, colder periods could still support accumulating snow or freezing precipitation.
The 8–14 day outlook indicates the probability of above normal precipitation, not the probability of a specific winter storm or ice storm.
With November 18–24 extending into the beginning of Thanksgiving week, South Dakota travelers should closely monitor updated forecasts for storm tracks, snowfall potential, freezing temperatures and highway conditions.