Area Forecast Discussion
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Issued by NWS Sioux Falls, SD
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033 FXUS63 KFSD 071405 AFDFSD Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 805 AM CST Sun Dec 7 2025 .KEY MESSAGES... - Winds chills as cold as -20 degrees will continue through mid-morning mainly across southwestern MN. - Additional chances for light snow are expected this afternoon and evening with accumulations of an inch or less expected. - A parade of waves will move through the region during the week ahead, bringing snow risks on both Tuesday and Thursday. The most impactful snow system to watch may be on Thursday. - Confidence is growing that winds Tuesday night into Wednesday may break or exceed the 40 mph mark. We`ll need to monitor the snow pack and air temps closely to monitor blowing snow potential. && .UPDATE... Issued at 801 AM CST Sun Dec 7 2025 Shortwave trough quickly moving through western South/North Dakota this morning producing a corridor of light to occasionally moderate snow that`s moving eastward. Model agreement in this wave and precipitation holding together as it moves east has boosted confidence that light snow accumulations will be likely later Sunday into Sunday night. Therefore have pushed PoPs upwards over most areas for the eastward moving band. A slight upward tick in QPF will result in snow totals around one half inch in most areas. However, areas of the Buffalo Ridge where dPVA is strongest and southwesterly warm advection lingers longer could see 1-1.5" of snow by midnight. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 342 AM CST Sun Dec 7 2025 TODAY & TONIGHT: Another cold day ahead! Taking a look across the area, any lingering flurries continue to gradually dissipate this morning as a surface high approaches from the northwest. From here, a cold start to the morning is expected as a fresh snowpack and lingering cold air advection (CAA) help most areas start on either side of zero temperature-wise. Combine this with marginally breezy northeasterly winds and the setup is primed for even colder winds through mid-morning with values as low as 20 degrees below zero. While this will mostly affect southwestern MN, make sure to bundle up if you have any morning activities. Otherwise, quieter conditions will persist for the first half of the day as temperatures peak in the positive single digits to low 20s. Looking aloft, a quick mid- level wave will closely follow the departing surface high leading to additional chances for light snow during the afternoon to evening hours. However, unlike with our previous system; amounts will likely be on the lighter side with additional accumulations of 1 inch or less expected. Lastly, as temperatures fall into the single digits to teens overnight; could see the return of below zero wind chills in southwestern MN to start the day on Monday. MONDAY-WEDNESDAY: Looking into the new week, quieter conditions temporarily return by Monday as northwesterly flow continues aloft. With the return of southerly surface winds and increasing mid-level warm air advection (WAA), temperatures will rebound towards the 30s to low 40s for the day with the warmest conditions across southcentral SD. Looking aloft, the wave train will continue across the northern plains as northwesterly flow ushers in multiple waves through Wednesday. The first clipper wave will dives across parts of northern MN by Monday afternoon passing just north of us. A second and more robust clipper wave will dive across portion eastern ND and central MN by Tuesday. While most of the better dynamics will likely stay north of us, areas north of I-90 will likely get enough lift from the base of the trough to get increased precipitation chances (30%-50%). However, with temperatures trending more mild with highs in the upper 30s to low 50s for the day; most of this should fall as rain. Nonetheless, can`t rule out an eventual transition to light snow on the backside of the system as temperatures fall overnight. One thing worth noting is the tightening SPG with the clipper will likely lead to strong winds with gusts of 40+ mph from Tuesday night into Wednesday. Depending on how the previous systems have affected our snowpack, we could see areas of blowing/drifting snow develop through Wednesday morning. Nonetheless, this will be something to watch moving forward. From here, a third mid-level wave will swing through by Wednesday morning along with its associated cold front. While there won`t likely be much precipitation associated with this system, the strong blast of arctic air will decrease our temperatures going forward with highs mainly in the teens to 20s for most areas. Lastly, while some key details are uncertain; mid-range guidance is starting to pick up on the potential for additional snow from Wednesday night into Thursday as another quick clipper swings through the area. With this in mind, make sure to monitor your local forecast as this would the period to monitor the most. THURSDAY ONWARDS: Heading into the extended period, its more rinse and repeat. Periods of snow will continue for most of the day on Thursday before tapering off. A surface high moves through the area by Friday to replace the previously mentioned system. By Saturday and Sunday another approaching clipper brings the potential for more snow across the area. Lastly, temperatures will hover near to just below normal with the coldest conditions expected on Friday and Saturday as highs peaking the single digits to mid teens. && .AVIATION /12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z MONDAY/... Issued at 540 AM CST Sun Dec 7 2025 A mix of conditions this morning will give way to mostly MVFR to IFR this TAF period. Taking a look at satellite imagery, most areas continue to be locked into stratus this morning with no relief in site. Expect the stratus to hang around for most of the day as our next system approaches bringing some light snow to the area. Otherwise, light northeasterly winds this morning will become more southeasterly by this evening. Lastly, while confidence is low; some high resolution guidance is picking up on some patchy fog development Monday morning. We`ll have to continue to monitor that moving forward. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && $$ UPDATE...Dux DISCUSSION...05 AVIATION...05