Storm Center Update-Thursday AM

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Mostly sunny skies and west winds will help push temperatures to record levels today in most of KELOLAND. Highs are projected to be near 60 in Sioux Falls and Aberdeen. We are forecasting the temperatures to tie an all time record for the month of January in Aberdeen. Pierre and Rapid City will be warmer as well with highs in the lower to middle 60s. Winds will be from the west at 10-15mph under mostly sunny skies. Tonight will still be mild with lows in the lower 30s. Tomorrow is looking cooler as winds increase from the northwest at 15-30mph in the afternoon. Highs should still be in the mid to upper 40s, some 20 degrees above normal.

Look for highs to drop back into the mid to upper 30s in eastern KELOLAND by Saturday, which is still above normal. This brief cooling trend will be replaced by warmer temperatures again early next week. In fact, Rapid City could get near 60 again by Monday and other areas East River will be in the upper 40s to lower 50s.

A stronger cold front will be arriving by Wednesday and we’ll see a return to temperatures closer to normal. We don’t see any big chances of rain or snow yet, although some snow showers could come our way on Wednesday.

After this cooling trend into the 20s and 30s late next week, we are possibly looking at 1 more piece of mild air with 40s possible looking out toward the end of next week. The arctic air is building to the north, so evidence is growing that these cold air outbreaks will be getting stronger down the road.