Ugh, South Dakota Winter 2025–26 Is Coming… And I’m Not Ready

After a stretch of unseasonably warm days to kick off October, the kind that had us wondering if pumpkin spice season got lost on the way, the temperatures have finally remembered what month it is. The crisp air has moved in, mornings come with a side of frost, and it looks like South Dakota has officially flipped the switch to fall. So, what's the forecast for winter 2025-26? My Chihuahua will not be happy.

Temperatures: A Mixed Bag

Bad news for anyone like me… and my Chihuahua, who hates teeth-chattering cold. South Dakota’s winter this year is looking like it wants to make life miserable. From what I can tell, the temps will be kind of normal, maybe even a little warmer than usual at times… but don’t get too excited. Every now and then, it’s going to drop so fast that you’ll regret leaving the house without three coats and a hat.

Snow: More Than We Bargained For?

Looks like we’re going to get more snow than last year. Not snow every day, thankfully, but enough to keep your driveway a mess and your car scraping ice off the windshield. So if you like sledding or skiing, this might be your dream winter… for the rest of us, it’s a nightmare.

Why It’s So Unpredictable?

Apparently, some weather thing called La Niña is in charge this year. Honestly, I don’t really get it, but what it means is that the weather can flip on us anytime. One week it’s nice and sunny, the next week you’re walking through snowdrifts like it’s the Arctic.

Things I’m Most Worried About:

• Cold snaps in January that will make you think your bones froze.

• Snow showing up earlier than expected, maybe even before Halloween candy is gone.

• Surprise storms that just pop up and ruin your plans.

How to Survive

So yeah, get ready. Keep a heavy coat nearby, stock up on coffee (you’ll need it), and maybe buy a new snow shovel. Because this winter, South Dakota is going to give us extra snow, extra cold, and a whole lot of reasons to complain.

Source: Farmer's Almanac