Strong winds, rain expected Thursday across South Dakota

RAPID CITY, S.D. (KOTA) -A cold front moving through South Dakota will bring strong winds Thursday, with gusts up to 50 mph expected in northwestern parts of the state.

Wind advisories have been issued for Buffalo, Lemmon, Spearfish and areas near Rapid City. The strongest winds are expected in northwestern South Dakota, north and east of the Black Hills, up into the Buffalo area.

Wind timing and intensity

Winds are expected to build during overnight hours into Thursday morning and continue through midday. The strongest winds are forecast around 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday.

Winds will begin calming around 5 to 6 p.m., with breezy conditions continuing around 8 p.m.

The east side of the state could see some 50 mph wind gusts.

Rain and thunderstorms are possible

Showers are moving into the area, with heavy rain in northeastern Wyoming. Sheridan and Gillette could see heavy activity with possible thunderstorms.

Rapid City and western South Dakota will initially see dry conditions as upslope flow squeezes moisture out of the northern and western slopes of the Black Hills. Showers will move through the rest of Thursday, especially north of Interstate 90.

Some areas could receive about a half-inch of rain, though model data shows variations. Additional rain is expected Sunday, with temperatures about 10 degrees below average.

Front stalls across the region

The front is expected to stall over Ekalaka, Alzada, and Belle Fourche, and into central Meade County, including Union Center, and into Ziebach County.

Temperature outlook

Morning lows on Thursday will drop to 40 degrees in Gillette and 51 degrees in Rapid City. Temperatures will fall below average across much of the region after the cold front moves through.

Highs on Thursday will reach the 70s in Pine Ridge, Kadoka, Sheridan, and Belle Fourche. Temperatures will rise back to the 70s and 80s on Friday.

Another cooldown is expected Saturday with the next front. Temperatures in the hills could drop into the 50s, with highs of 56 in some areas and 62 in Deadwood. Spearfish and Hot Springs will see temperatures similar to the plains. Phillip and Pine Ridge will warm into the 80s by Friday.

Rapid City will hit 77 Tuesday and 83 Wednesday as high pressure moves into the area and temperatures stay moderate through the end of the week.

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