SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — The unofficial end of summer can bring some wild weather to KELOLAND. Here’s a look at some notable extremes.
We all know that South Dakota is a state where just about anything can happen in the world of weather. Though meteorological fall is officially underway, the beginning of September can still bring some interesting and at times wild weather conditions.
Just look at what we had last year for example. The “coolest” day that Sioux Falls had out of the days that made Labor Day weekend in 2023 was 94 degrees. Two of the other three days saw triple-digit highs. Two of those three days also set new records. While Aberdeen was able to stay in the 90s at most, Pierre was no lower than 102 in the high-temperature department three times.
Rapid City has seen more than one example of extreme weather on Labor Day weekend. Last year was exceedingly hot, with a 103-degree high on the 2nd, but it was a far different story just a few years prior.
Labor Day weekend 2020 featured a record-setting 104-degree high and ended with an inch of snow on the ground on Labor Day. That was the earliest measurable snow on record in the city.
Other notable extremes include the hottest Labor Day on record in Sioux Falls. A 104-degree Labor Day in 1976, as well as a tornado touching down in Hand County with 2″+ hail in portions of northeastern and southeastern KELOLAND during Labor Day weekend in 1983.
So, all things considered, we did pretty well for ourselves this Labor Day weekend.
After all, it can always be worse.
