textproduct: Aberdeen

KEY MESSAGES

- Storm system today into Saturday brings 6 to 12 inches of snow across northern SD, with amounts tapering off to around an inch closer to I-90.

- Ice accumulations ranging from a few hundredths (mainly around and south of Hwy 12) to as much as one-quarter inch (between Hwy 14 and 212). Confidence on overall icing accumulations and impacts is somewhat low.

- Northwest wind gusts increase to between 25 and 35 mph tonight through Saturday. Visibility reductions at times in falling snow, but significant impacts from low visibility and blowing snow are not expected due to the heavy/wet nature of snow.

- Below normal temperatures remaining in place through the beginning of next week.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1258 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

As of 1 AM CDT, snow will be starting in north central SD, freezing rain/rain/sleet in south central SD within the next few hours. Precipitation is expected to continue through the day. Temperatures across the area are in the mid 20s to low 30s, generally below the freezing mark. Winds are out of the north between 10 and 15 mph.

QPF has come down a bit and snowfall/ice accumulations have followed. Timing generally remains the same as previous forecasts. Freezing rain/rain/sleet has moved into south central SD already (will move in from the southwest) and will move northeast into northeast SD through the morning hours east of the James River. Snow will move into north central SD and east to the James River in the next few hours and continue through the day. CAMs are showing snow lasting through at least Saturday morning over north central SD. Freezing rain/rain/sleet will transition over to snow across northeast SD east of the James River during the afternoon hours Friday and continue through Saturday afternoon. Snow accumulations are expected to be highest over north central SD where snow accumulations of at least an inch per hour are expected to last for several hours. Snow accumulations south of Hwy 12 are less certain due to the change in precipitation type. If temperatures above the surface stay warmer, more ice accumulation is expected and lower snow totals. If the mid layers cool faster than forecast, snow accumulations would be higher and ice totals lower. There is also the potential for a dry slot to move north and into central SD. This could make the freezing rain into more of a freezing drizzle and lessen ice accumulations. At the moment, highest ice accumulations are expected around and along a line from about Murdo to Watertown, between 0.2 and 0.25 inches. During the heaviest snow, winds are not expected to be strong enough to cause more than a few brief periods of slight reductions in visibility due to blowing snow. Some drifting may also be possible, but again, not much. Winds do pick up slightly behind the snow, but still not enough to cause widespread blowing snow. However, the wind could be strong enough to cause power outages where power lines are ice covered (mainly south of Hwy 12).

Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we will spring back to spring once this system moves out. Models are showing an uptick in temperatures but that's not until at least Tuesday. We stay in northwest flow and several more clipper systems make their way across the region. At this point, it doesn't look like we will get too much in the way of precipitation, but we're still several days out so things could change.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 624 AM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG

Freezing rain is overspreading the area east of the Missouri River and will affect KABR and KATY within the next hour or two. IFR cigs and vsby are expected with this winter system especially in heavier precipitation and as the precip changes over to snow.

ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...Winter Storm Warning until 7 PM CDT Saturday for SDZ006>008-011- 018.

Winter Weather Advisory until 7 PM CDT Saturday for SDZ019>023.

Winter Storm Warning until 1 PM CDT /noon MDT/ Saturday for SDZ003>005-009-010-015>017-033>037.

Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM CDT Saturday for SDZ045-048- 051.

MN...Winter Storm Warning until 7 PM CDT Saturday for MNZ039.

Winter Weather Advisory until 7 PM CDT Saturday for MNZ046.