textproduct: Aberdeen

KEY MESSAGES

- Lingering light snow will be possible over northeastern SD and western MN into early Friday morning. Less than an inch of additional accumulation is expected. Minor reductions in visibility due to the snow and wind combination will be possible.

- Temperatures in the upper teens to 20s (roughly 10 degrees below normal) will continue through this weekend. A warming trend is expected at the start of next week.

UPDATE

Issued at 1142 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

The aviation discussion has been updated for the 06Z TAFS.

UPDATE Issued at 738 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Light snow continues across the eastern CWA and upped PoPs significantly, although still only expecting a dusting to perhaps a half inch at most. VSBY generally between 3-5SM in areas of "heavier" light snow. RAP soundings reveal saturation generally below 800mb, all within the dendritic growth zone (DGZ) with some weak lift as well. These features continue through the night and all the way into Friday morning across the eastern CWA. Updates are out.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 146 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Similarly to yesterday, we have distinct differences in weather across the forecast area. A deck of low to mid clouds remains locked over eastern SD, mainly east of the James River, with light falling snow or flurries. Winds across the entire forecast area are out of the northwest gusting 28-35mph. Falling snow and these winds has resulted in a few locations over northeastern SD/west central MN falling to around 3 miles visibility. The clouds over are east are associated with the surface low over western Lake Superior/western Upper Michigan. The surface low to our west, over northern MO has been associated with high clouds over our southern counties. The 2 lows will come together over northern IL late this afternoon into this evening as Canadian high pressure slowly builds a ridge over central SD. However, eastern SD/western MN will still be under the influence of the eastern low through the night tonight as it deepens across Lake Michigan. The result will not only be slow to diminish winds over our eastern counties, but a continued potential for light snow or flurries lingering into the early morning hours Friday.

Otherwise, the surface ridge will shift over the eastern Dakotas Sunday afternoon-evening and over MN by midday Monday. Mainly dry weather will continue. High temperatures will be mainly in the upper teens to low 20s (with a few low 30 degree readings Saturday over south central SD) through Sunday. Look for southerly flow to return Monday as high temperatures return to seasonal normal readings Monday afternoon, and nearly 10 degrees above normal for south central SD. We'll flip the switch back to above normal Tuesday through at least Thursday. The only mention of precipitation looks to be midweek, at only around a 15% chance at this point.

Fire weather concerns will increase again Monday with Grassland Fire Danger Index Values rising into the high category, as relative humidity values fall into the 20-30% range for much of central SD. Wind gusts over the same area are expected to be 25-35mph, highest over south central SD.

AVIATION /06Z TAFS THROUGH 06Z SATURDAY/

Issued at 1142 PM CST Thu Feb 19 2026

Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG

MVFR CIGs with -SN forecast to affect KABR/KATY through the overnight and into Friday morning, with low confidence on when exactly the -SN will diminish. VSBY within -SN is generally VFR/MVFR. Also, CIGs have been bouncing a bit into VFR at times in KABR, and may sneak into IFR perhaps in KATY. Across KPIR/KMBG, VFR conditions are currently forecast through the TAF period.

ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

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