South Dakota Faces Cold, Snowy, Breezy Winter According To Farmers Almanac Forecast

The last thing on most of our minds during the dog days of summer are the frigid days of winter, but they're closer than you think.

As they've done every year since 1818, the folks at Farmers’ Almanac are offering us an August sneak peek as to what to expect when our temperatures begin to plummet.

Their 2026-2027 Winter Weather Forecast factors in recurring natural cycles, solar activity, lunar influences, and historical weather patterns coupled with modern forecasting tools, including satellite observations, computer modeling, current meteorological data, historical analogs, and analysis of large-scale ocean and atmospheric patterns.

READ MORE: South Dakota Nearly Topped The U.S. List For The Cleanest Air

So what's on the horizon for our neck of the woods this winter?

The Almanac has South Dakota sitting under the label 'Cold, Snowy at Times, Breezy'.

Farmers' Almanac 2026-27 Winter Forecast

The forecast across much of the Northern Plains is for average and near-normal temps overall, but not necessarily a mild winter. The almanac says 'fast-moving clippers, sudden cold snaps, and brief snowy periods are likely, although milder breaks may frequently interrupt the wintry weather.'  There's also a warning for 'sudden snow squalls, blustery winds, and bursts of bitter cold.'

So can we trust this forecast?

The Almanac is touting an 80-85% accuracy rate, while outside entities put their actual accuracy somewhat lower, but still meaningfully above average.

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