textproduct: Sioux Falls

KEY MESSAGES

- Light freezing drizzle is being observed south of I-90 this morning. Some slick spots are possible which could impact the morning commute. Please drive to conditions on your way to work this morning.

- Intermittent periods of flurries and/or very light snow will continue for most of the day with minimal accumulations. Additional accumulations tonight could lead to a tenth or two of snow mainly across southcentral SD.

- Near to above normal temperatures will persist over the next several days with the warmest conditions expected by Thursday.

- With no major system ahead over the next week, expect mostly quiet conditions to persist. However, a pattern switch could change things heading into early next week.

UPDATE

Issued at 739 AM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

Low level stratus continues to blanket the majority of the area this morning. Light freezing drizzle has been reported south of I-90 across parts of southeast South Dakota, northwest Iowa, and far northeast Nebraska. This freezing drizzle may result in slick spots on untreated surfaces as surface temperatures remain below freezing. These potential slick spots may impact the morning commute. Please drive to conditions if you encounter any slick spots on your way to work this morning. The light freezing drizzle should continue through 10 am as diurnal heating will lift the stratus just a bit more, preventing light precipitation from reaching the surface.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 244 AM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

TODAY & TONIGHT: Another dreary day ahead! Similar to yesterday, most areas continue to be blanketed by low-level clouds (stratus) this morning with a few pockets of flurries. While accumulations are expected to be light, persistent low-level saturation and lingering lift associated with a few weak waves could promote intermittent pockets of flurries and/or very light snow throughout the day with minimal accumulations expected. Otherwise, lighter surface winds will continue across the area as highs peak in the 20s to low 30s. By tonight, persistent cloud cover will help keep our temperatures well above normal overnight with lows in the mid teens to low 20s. Looking aloft, another approaching wave will result in another push of light snow just after midnight tonight with an additional tenth or two of accumulations possible mainly across southcentral SD.

WEDNESDAY & THURSDAY: Looking into the midweek, any lingering precipitation should gradually dissipate by mid-morning on Wednesday. From here, upper-level ridging will continue to strengthen over the western CONUS promoting more northerly flow aloft. A warm front will gradually progress through the area from late Wednesday into Thursday helping us increase our highs from the 20s to mid 30s by Wednesday to the 40s to mid 50s by Thursday which would be a welcomed change. However, this will be short-lived as a cold front swings southwards into Friday gradually decreasing our temperatures into the weekend.

THE WEEKEND ONWARDS: Heading into the extended period, quieter conditions continue as the previously mentioned setup gradually breaks down across the western CONUS returning us to northwesterly flow aloft. Can't rule out a weak wave or two progressing through the area over the weekend. However, limit saturation will keep any measurable precipitation chances at bay through at least Monday. Otherwise, above normal temperatures will persist throughout the weekend with highs mainly in the mid 30s to upper 40s. While its pretty far out, its worth mentioning that some long-range guidance is picking up on a stronger system ejecting out of the Colorado Rockies by sometime early next week. While the details are far from certain, its worth monitoring the Tuesday to Wednesday timeframe for the potential return of accumulating snow.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z WEDNESDAY/

Issued at 508 AM CST Tue Feb 3 2026

Mainly MVFR cigs and lower will continue this TAF period. Looking at satellite imagery, MVFR to IFR stratus continues to sit over the area this morning with pockets of flurries. Expect these conditions to gradually improve towards a mix of VFR and MVFR cigs by this evening before ceilings decrease again by tonight. From here, MVFR and IFR cigs will prevail through the end the TAF period. Lastly, light and variable winds will continue for most of the TAF period with the potential for intermittent flurries.

FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None.