textproduct: Sioux Falls

KEY MESSAGES

- Northwest winds barrel through the area this morning with gusts of 50 to possibly 70 mph. The strongest winds are most likely near and west of the James River.

- While the existing snow pack is too wet to blow, some falling snow will bring the potential for rapid drops in visibility when combined with the very strong winds. These possible snow squalls will be most likely from about 9 am to 3 pm.

- Mild temperatures and mostly dry conditions are expected into next weekend and the first portions of Christmas week.

UPDATE

Issued at 1037 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

Have expanded the winter weather advisory further south and east this morning. Regional radar and satellite clearly showing mid- lvl vorticity beginning to pivot west of I-29. Increased forcing along with minor instability/steep lapse rates are forcing the development of several narrow bands of snow that are traversing eastward.

While visibility drops are highly variable, when the band moves through, we'll see drops to 1/2 mile at times. While accumulations will average a half inch in most areas, the strong winds will lead to blowing snow concerns. One other concern that may have an even higher impact on travel will be rapid ice formation as fluffy snow is driven over and temperatures continue to fall.

Regarding wind headlines, latest CAM data suggests that winds may hold on a bit longer into the evening. While gusts may fall out of high wind criteria, would rather make headline shifts for only a brief amount of time.

DISCUSSION

Issued at 1116 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

Scattered MVFR to IFR ceilings with snow will move through the Tri-State area through mid-afternoon. Occasional visibility less than 1/2 mile may be possible, but very patchy in nature. Strong winds persist through the afternoon with gusts over 45 knots likely in most areas. These winds gradually diminish this evening and overnight.

Skies clear this evening with VFR conditions expected into Friday morning.

AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z FRIDAY/

Issued at 538 AM CST Thu Dec 18 2025

Northwest winds will gust to 50 to 70 mph at times through today, then gradually taper off late afternoon into the evening. Scattered snow showers will be possible from mid morning into the afternoon and could rapidly reduce the visibility to IFR at times. Otherwise MVFR ceilings will move in today, but rapid improvement is expected tonight.

FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES

SD...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for SDZ038>040-053>056-062-067. High Wind Warning until 9 PM CST this evening for SDZ040-056- 062-067-071. High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for SDZ038-039- 050-052>055-057>061-063>066-068>070. MN...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for MNZ071- 072-080-081-089-090-097-098. High Wind Warning until 9 PM CST this evening for MNZ071-072- 080-089-097-098. Wind Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for MNZ081-090. IA...Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST this evening for IAZ001>003. High Wind Warning until 9 PM CST this evening for IAZ001-012- 020-031. Wind Advisory until 9 PM CST this evening for IAZ002-003-013- 014-021-022-032. NE...High Wind Warning until 9 PM CST this evening for NEZ014. High Wind Warning until 6 PM CST this evening for NEZ013.