SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) – Let’s take a moment to enjoy some sun before some snow – a typical pattern this winter in KELOLAND. Blizzard conditions one day, temperatures in the 70s the next- so many changes that could’ve made your head spin.
“It was an easy winter, I think,” KELOLAND Meteorologist Scot Mundt said. “There’s been very little snow, a lot of the days were warm. We had a couple of headaches here and there when we actually had something act up, but they were few and far between.”
With one last winter storm incoming before spring starts on March 20, Mundt says this is typical of March.
“We can get these wild temperature swings, wild weather in March from thunderstorms to blizzards,” Mundt said. “We’ve had it before. We’ve had severe weather on one side of the state, blizzards raging on the other side of the state.”
KELOLAND meteorologists compare this year’s winter to the less-than wintery conditions of 2012, according to Mundt.
“Just because it was so dry and we were worried about the temperatures warming,” Mundt explained.
In 2012, March had mild conditions, with about 13 days with temperatures at 70 degrees or above, according to Mundt. He explains that as of March 17, 2025, there’s been only four days of temperatures above 70 degrees this winter. But Mundt says in general, the climate average is just to have one day above the 70s.
“We’re a little warmer than average this month, but it’s nothing like 2012,” Mundt said.
Despite warmer temperatures, we’ve still seen snow. According to Mundt, anytime from October to April is a snow season. This year, Mundt says we’re 10-12 inches below what a typical winter would bring. He predicts below average snowfall for Sioux Falls, Aberdeen, and Pierre this year.
“I’ll take any snowflakes that I can get,” Mundt said. “I’m still about 16-17 inches away from my prediction of 32.”
According to Mundt, this year’s final winter storm will start Monday night in western South Dakota, near the Black Hills area. He predicts that Rapid City will be outside of the alerts. The rain and snow mix will become widespread on Tuesday. As the storm moves east, Mundt says the bullseye spot will be in northeastern Iowa from Tuesday into Wednesday.
Looking ahead to spring, Mundt says April could be colder than average.
“If we get any of that colder air to come in from the north, I wouldn’t write off getting any snow in April,” Mundt said.
Mundt says he likes to look at every winter different from the last.
“When I do my seasonal predictions, I like to throw out all my notes from the year prior and I start fresh,” Mundt said.
