Storm Center Update - Thursday PM

As expected, a strong low pressure center to our east has drawn in extreme winds and light rains.  Though the rain is mostly east, the winds extend throughout the High Plains and KELOLAND.  We’ve recorded many gusts of hurricane strength, mainly west of the Missouri.  Bands of light rain will continue east for much of the overnight and winds will be slow to fade.  The best rainfall totals have been in the northeast, with many spots picking up more than one inch. 
Due to the overcast skies, temperatures have really not moved much today.  Almost everyone is in the middle 40s with a ‘feels like’ temperature in the 30s. 
Better weather arrives for tomorrow.  Temperatures will start to warm as calmer air moves to the east.  Winds will also slowly fade but you can still expect a healthy breeze in SE KELOLAND for much of the day.  Highs will largely be in the 50s but with clear skies in Rapid City, I expect we’ll be in the 60s by early afternoon.
The weekend will be warmer and will deliver more sunshine.  The pheasant opener on Saturday will be great weather-wise.  Winds from today will flush birds to dry their wings and you won’t have much wind to deal with.  Sunday will be considerably cooler in the west as another cold front moves in.  Sioux Falls will be about the same as it’s going to take longer for the cold air to move east. 
Colder air will continue to funnel into the Black Hills early next week.  We have a chance at some isolated mix up in the higher hills Monday and Tuesday.  Next Wednesday there is another slim chance of rain.