Warmth Returns to the Region

After a long spell of temperatures well below zero and wind chill values into the 30s and 40s below zero, temperatures will swing in the other direction starting this weekend.

For Friday, afternoon highs will reach into the 20s and 30s with a few isolated 40s in the far west with south winds from 5 to 20mph with strong gusts to 30mph along Interstate 29.

Temperatures increase even more for Saturday, with highs in the 30s and 40s and a few isolated 50s across the central parts of the state.

The temperature increase continues for Sunday, with afternoon highs into the 40s and 50s, and we cannot rule out seeing a few 60s across central and south-central South Dakota.

The warm air looks to stay around as the temperature outlook keeps us at or above normal temperatures.

With the warmth, little or no precipitation is expected for several days. The American (GFS) weather model is showing a few inches of snow from now through the first few days of March across the Black Hills, with next to nothing across the rest of the state. The European (ECMWF) shares the same, with little snowfall expected and nothing across the Black Hills, but maybe something clipping the northeast region by the end of February.