textproduct: Aberdeen

KEY MESSAGES

- Snow Thursday night into Friday of up to an inch is expected, with 1 to 3 inches mainly north of Clear Lake to Watertown.

- Strong winds with gusts of 45 to 65 mph is expected late Thursday afternoon through the day Friday. A High Wind Watch is in effect for areas west of Brown and Spink counties. These winds combined with falling snow could lead to reduced visibility and hazardous travel conditions, especially if snow squalls occur.

UPDATE

Issued at 538 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Aviation discussion updated below for the 00Z TAFs.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 411 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Temperatures will remain nearly steady in the teens and 20s, before rising into the upper 30s and 40s during the day Thursday.

At 21Z today the center of high pressure stretched from far eastern ND through western MN and eastern SD through eastern NE. The thick line of clouds over central SD has remained in place all day, and with more clouds filtering in from the north, shows only small signs of diminishing and eastward movement. Otherwise, the clouds to the east have mainly moved out of the area, showing the lingering light snow on the ground over the northern extent of the Prairie Coteau. Of course this snow is wind, sun, and temperature worn from the last few weeks and is immovable. This is important given the strong winds for Thursday afternoon through the day Friday.

Also of note is the area of low pressure over northern Canada, which will sink across northern Manitoba Thursday afternoon and Ontario into northern WI Thursday night. This feature will push an initial cold front across most of central SD by 12Z Thursday and eastern SD into west central MN shortly after 18Z Thursday. Winds will quickly increase out of the northwest. A secondary cold front will wrap south across the area Friday morning. Instability, cold air advection, and winds will help to create an atmosphere prone to snow squalls late Thursday through midday Friday. While overall snowfall amounts are still around 1-3" north of a line near Clark to Watertown for this event, the probability for 1" of snow or more has increased about 20% compared to the main model runs 12 hours ago. Bands of light snow in the quick northwesterly flow are a concern as well, especially as colder air moves in. 850mb temperatures of less than -8C after 09Z Friday will also result in enhancement off any open water of the Missouri River (mainly south of Mobridge as areas north look to be frozen for more than a week). Overall, expect visibility in snow showers or snow squalls to greatly diminish, and then improve when snow stops.

Confidence in still high in the wind/wind gust forecast, with the ongoing High Wind Watch still in place for central SD Thursday night through the day Friday. Additional headlines for wind and possibly for the winds/snow can be expected as the time nears.

Looking farther out, highs Saturday will only be in the single digits to teens (lowest over northeastern SD/west central MN). It will be a return to near normal values temperature wise for much of the time period, or at least within around 10 degrees either side of normal. There is a 20-30% chance of snow Sunday. Blowing snow could remain a concern over northeastern SD for several days, given the forecast snowfall amounts Thursday night through Friday and cold air continuing.

AVIATION /00Z TAFS THROUGH 00Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 538 PM CST Wed Jan 14 2026

Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG

MVFR CIGs still affecting KPIR/KMBG this evening, but are forecast to move out at some point this evening/tonight, just unsure exactly when as models are having a tough time with this feature, so will amend as needed. There is potential for these lower clouds to sneak into KABR later this evening also. Inserted SCT mention for now, but may have to amend to BKN/OVC. Otherwise, surface winds will be the big story Thursday afternoon, especially over central SD (KPIR/KMBG) where gusts may reach 40-45 knots.

ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...High Wind Watch from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for SDZ003>005-009-010-015>017-033>037-045-048-051.

MN...None.