Temperatures Well Above Average In December

SIOUX FALLS, SD - Our dry November has carried over into December; as a result very little snow has fallen across the area.

With the lack of snow, temperatures have been able to soar to record highs on occasion this month. But it's not only the afternoon highs that have been above average, but also the overnight lows.

When you look at the average temperatures in December, KELOLAND is well above. When you add the high and low for the day and divide by two you get the average temperature for the day, this month many locations are well above average.

Watertown and Aberdeen lead the pack with an average temperature at seven degrees above normal. Followed by Sioux Falls, Huron, and Mitchell. Pierre is also at five degrees above average. It hasn't been as warm in Rapid City, mainly due to steadier snow cover but Rapid City is still a degree and a half above average.

There are some hits of colder air in the forecast.  But due to the lack of snow, they won't be as cold as what we've had in past winters. This year, falling to normal might be considered an arctic outbreak.