Fire Danger for Some, Snow for Others

A low-pressure system brought two different seasons to South Dakota on Sunday. On the northern end of the state, precipitation in the form and rain and snow fell from the sky. Some areas received around an inch or so of snow, enough to cause issues on roadways.

Photo Credit: South Dakota Department of Transport - April 3rd, 2022 at 4:00pm CDT

The total amount of precipitation that fell from Sunday's storm system was 0.15" in Mobridge, 0.13" in Sisseton, 0.08 for Aberdeen, 0.07" at the Watertown Airport, 0.05" in Buffalo, 0.04" for the Faith area, and 0.03" at Pierre's Regional Airport.

Photo Credit: South Dakota Department of Transport - April 3rd, 2022 at 2:55pm CDT

Little or no precipitation fell in the southern half of the state with only trace amounts in Sioux Falls and Pine Ridge. Winds on the other hand were not in short supply with increased fire danger in those areas.

The Brookings Fire Department posted this image of a fire in east-central, South Dakota on Sunday as winds switched direction, making a control burn into not control.

Photo Credit: Brookings Fire Department

The wind has switched direction and the wind speed is expected to increase throughout the afternoon. Until we get significant moisture, continue to check and recheck your burn piles. This fire burned slightly less than an acre earlier this afternoon, which spread from a pile burned yesterday.

Brookings Fire Department April 4th, 2022

A couple of wind gusts yesterday topped over 60mph with Mud Butte in west-central, South Dakota leading the list with a gust of 61mph. Union Center and Wasta were not far behind with a gust of 60mph, and Tripp was only one mph away with a gust of 59mph.

Mud Butte: 61mph Union Center: 60mph

Wasta: 60mph

Tripp: 59mph

Corsica: 58mph

Midland: 58mph

Gayville: 57mph

Pickstown: 56mph

Plankinton: 56mph

Pactola Reservoir: 56mph

Scenic: 56mph

Freeman: 56mph

Winner: 55mph

Dixon: 55mph

Platte: 55mph

Reliance: 55mph

Philip: 55mph

Sturgis: 55mph

Unfortunately, the fire danger remains across the south where a Red Flag Warning is in effect for southwest and south-central, South Dakota.

A Red Flag Warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly. A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity, and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior.

Precipitation is expected to return along with the winds. High Wind Watches are already posted for the west starting on Tuesday afternoon going through Thursday. For additional details on weather alerts for your location, please check out our Weather Alerts page.