textproduct: Aberdeen

KEY MESSAGES

- High temperatures through Friday will be 5 to 20 degrees below average. Coldest temperatures will be found east of the James Valley.

- There is a 30-60% chance of light snow over central/north central South Dakota this morning, and again tonight into Friday. Both of these light snow events combined are expected to produce up to 1.5 inches of snow, mainly throughout and west of the Missouri River valley.

- There is a 35-70% chance of mainly light snow Saturday through Sunday morning. A wintry mix is possible west of the James Valley especially west river.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 238 AM CST Thu Jan 29 2026

A northwest to southeast waa band of light snow continues to affect central SD early this morning. Best returns remain west river, though Pierre has consistently been down to 1 to 2 miles. Mobridge, on the other hand, has yet to saturate. Expect this initial band to continue through morning. Hi-res models indicate a brief break in the afternoon before snow fills back in this evening and lingers into Friday morning on the edge of the arctic front with a high building in from the northeast. Up to an additional inch of snow is expected with highest amounts along the western edge of the cwa, basically west of a line from McLaughlin to Murdo. With winds remaining light, the impact from this system is minimal.

When this round ends by Friday afternoon, all eyes turn to Saturday. Surface high pressure exits to the southeast and return flow sets up. Increasing southerly winds and an upper ridge mean warmer temperatures on Saturday with highs west river in the mid to upper 30s. However, an upper trough and sfc front quickly push in from the west bringing some additional light precipitation. Confidence in timing is still low. Winds appear to diminish slightly as snow starts falling on some models, but ensembles continue to bleed everything together. Any accumulations look light, around an inch or less, but timing is everything because temperature, precipitation type and blowing snow potential revolve around it.

Temperatures return to near or above climo norms on Saturday and remain above average through next week.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 1123 PM CST Wed Jan 28 2026

Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG

VFR conditions continue to prevail through the forecast period at KABR and KATY. Light snow is spreading into KPIR and KMBG, dropping cigs to MVFR and visibilities at KPIR to IFR. This is expected to continue into the mid morning before the snow comes to an end. Visibilities are expected to improve during the afternoon. Cigs will also improve during the afternoon briefly before the next round of light snow moves in at the end of the TAF period.

ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...None. MN...None.