SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — For a better part of the season, we haven’t had to deal with too many outright cold nights across KELOLAND. That is changing in a hurry, with recent lows falling into the teens and single digits…with more on the way as we head later into the week. There’s a reason for that, and it’s not just because we’re fast approaching winter.
Over the course of the day, we warm up to varying degrees depending on a host of factors like sunshine and wind direction. Overnight, we lose that daytime heating…but how much we lose can depend on some other factors.
This is where the term “radiational cooling” comes into play. Two main components need to be in place for extra cooling via this event to occur: Skies need to be clear, and the wind needs to be calm. A stronger breeze keeps milder temperatures circulating at the surface, while cloud cover acts like a blanket for the ground.
What’s noteworthy is not just how cold these upcoming nights can get for much of KELOLAND, but also the fact that these nights are getting this cold without snow on the ground beyond northeastern South Dakota. If we had widespread snow, we’d likely be talking about shaving off several more degrees.
So, be sure to bundle up as we head into the end of the week. While the heart of winter is still two months away, it’s still a sign of what may be yet to come.
