textproduct: Sioux Falls

KEY MESSAGES

- Areas of light snow and winds gusting 30 to 40 mph will produce periods of low visibility in patchy blowing snow today, mainly north of I-90. The Winter Weather Advisory has been extended until 1 pm west of I-29 and 4 pm along/east of I-29.

- Roller coaster temperatures are expected for the week ahead with spotty chances for precipitation throughout the week.

UPDATE

Issued at 514 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026

Not much in the way of snowfall overnight, but did have some reports of drizzle/freezing drizzle. Expect snow coverage to increase as we approach daybreak as the system continues to slide east and the wrap-around snow currently in central SD shifts into east-central to northeast SD. Models continue to show marginal potential for snow-squalls, though doesn't seem like an optimal set-up.

Nevertheless, confidence is fairly high that we will see an increase in winds as morning progresses with a period of gusts 30-40 mph coinciding with the area of light snow. Although snow totals will likely remain on the light side, perhaps an inch on the high side toward Highway 14, the combination of falling snow and gusty winds could produce difficult travel at times due to patchy blowing snow and rapidly changing visibility. For this reason, opted to extend the Winter Weather Advisory into the early-mid afternoon today for most areas north of I-90.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 127 PM CDT Fri Apr 3 2026

For the most part temperatures have climbed above freezing everywhere this afternoon, but will cool back to around or below freezing again, especially later tonight and especially north of i- 90. Precipitation potential continues into tonight, with the better chances north of I-90. Model soundings continue to show the dry slot keeping most precipitation at bay over much of the area. Periodic saturation in the dgz north of I-90 should lead to occasional light snow but with a warm ground and temperatures close to 30 accumulation might be difficult. While there will be a bit of a break this afternoon into early evening precipitation will redevelop. Some of the better wrap around potential comes later tonight as the wave is exiting and will see if an inch or two could accumulate near highway 14. Near and south of I-90 this evening and overnight the main precipitation threat will be drizzle, maybe patchy light freezing drizzle as the low levels remain fully saturated.

As the wave exits late tonight, deeper mixing and a strengthening northwest pressure gradient will result in surface wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph on Saturday. Some very weak instability in the mixed layer could result in scattered snow showers with the better chances near and north of I-90 and east of the James River from late morning into mid afternoon. South of I-90 saturation in the dgz is just not there so those scattered snow showers should become much more isolated. The main concerns would be a quick drop in visibility that would be fairly short lived.

A weak moisture starved wave will dive southeast on Saturday night and for now does not look to provide any additional precipitation to the area. A slightly stronger wave will move by to the north on Sunday and could bring a little light precipitation to the Marshall MN area but impacts will be minor.

A bit of a recovery in temperatures on Sunday as this wave passes but cold advection by late afternoon will bring a breezy northwest winds to the area through Sunday evening.

Another wave will bring a bigger warm up on Wednesday along with a chance for some showers. Highs Wednesday will be in the 60s.

The general trend for Thursday into Friday will be for westerly flow aloft to turn a bit more southwest as a trough develops over the western United States. Some cooler air will be locked in place both days so for now highs should be below normal. Broad warm advection may bring some rain and snow to the area, something to keep an eye on.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z SUNDAY/

Issued at 635 AM CDT Sat Apr 4 2026

MVFR to IFR ceilings to start this period with deteriorating visibility expected to develop north of I-90 as -SN slides east out of central South Dakota. Visibility in -SN alone will largely be low-end VFR to MVFR. However, falling light snow combined with west-northwest winds gusting in excess of 30kt will occasionally drop the visibility into the IFR-locally LIFR range, especially toward the Highway 14 corridor (KHON-KBKX-KMML) through 18-20Z.

Improving conditions are expected after 21Z-23Z as the winter system lifts northeast and high pressure begins to slide into the forecast area.

FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM CDT this afternoon for SDZ040-056. Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM CDT this afternoon for SDZ038-039-052>055. MN...Winter Weather Advisory until 4 PM CDT this afternoon for MNZ071-072-080-097. IA...None. NE...None.