textproduct: Sioux Falls

KEY MESSAGES

- Another shot of snow will move through the area today, with the better chances near and north of I-90. Following this snow will be wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph from mid-morning through the afternoon. Blowing snow will likely cause hazardous travel with brief near whiteout conditions throughout the day, especially near and north of I-90 and into parts of northwest IA.

- Life-threatening cold temperatures move in for the end of the week and start of the weekend. Wind chills as low as -30 to -45 are possible Friday morning. An extreme cold watch is in effect for Friday morning.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 300 AM CST Wed Jan 21 2026

A fast moving wave will dive southeast this morning. Initially this will bring a shot of snow to the area with the better forcing near and north of I-90. This fairly compact wave does show some hints of weak instability so as the snow moves through this morning into the early afternoon from west to east, some snowfall rates could be half an inch to an inch per hour, albeit any one locations is not likely to see much more than 3 or so hours of snow with this initial push. The better chances for an inch or so of accumulation will be north of I-90 and east of the James River. Now, as this lift shifts east very strong northwest winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph will fill in. This should produce quite a bit of blowing snow, along with some indications of shallow instability in the mixed layer which lies within the dgz, so some additional snow showers will be likely. Will maintain the winter weather advisory with brief whiteout conditions likely, especially with the initial burst of snow mid to late morning, and again with the very strong winds late morning into the early evening.

Winds will diminish this evening, but remain breezy into Thursday night. Thursday into Thursday night will see some wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph as very cold air settles south. This is in response to a large area of low pressure in central Canada, which will allow cold northerly flow to remain in place into early parts of the weekend. Wind chill values will average -25 to -40 Thursday night into Friday night. Models are hinting at a wave diving south into the area Saturday night into Sunday, but thermally we are so cold that quality snow may be difficult to come by. One thing to watch out for on Thursday will be the potential for more shallow instability snow showers which could bring spotty reductions in visibility during the morning into mid afternoon.

Flow aloft turns a bit more westerly early next week which should allow temperatures to climb back to around normal. Models hinting at a few weak waves in the flow during this time as well, so maybe some spotty chances for snow early next week as well.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z THURSDAY/

Issued at 519 AM CST Wed Jan 21 2026

Scattered MVFR ceilings are expected this morning with the better chances east of I-29. Snow will move through the area this morning into the early afternoon, bringing occasional MVFR and IFR visibilities. Late morning through the afternoon northwest winds will gust to 40 to 60 mph which will likely produce brief periods of near whiteout conditions in patchy light snow and blowing snow. By evening winds will diminish enough that most of the blowing snow will come to an end and mainly VFR conditions are expected after about 2-3z.

FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening for SDZ056-062-067. Extreme Cold Watch from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for SDZ038>040-052>056-058>062-065>067-069>071. Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening for SDZ070-071. Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for SDZ038>040-052>055-059>061. Wind Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for SDZ050-057-058- 063>066-068-069. Extreme Cold Watch from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for SDZ050-057-063-064-068. MN...Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening for MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-098. Extreme Cold Watch from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097-098. IA...Winter Weather Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening for IAZ001>003-012>014-022. Extreme Cold Watch from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032. Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening for IAZ020-021-031-032. NE...Extreme Cold Watch from Thursday evening through Friday afternoon for NEZ013-014. Wind Advisory from 10 AM this morning to 6 PM CST this evening for NEZ013-014.