Brutal Winter For South Dakota? Here’s What The Almanac Says!

The Old Farmer’s Almanac has released its forecast for the 2026–2027 season, and it suggests residents of South Dakota should be ready for plenty of changes.

The Old Farmer’s Almanac also points to a strong El Niño as one factor influencing its winter outlook.

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According to the Almanac, South Dakota falls within the High Plains/Upper Midwest region, where winter is expected to bring a mix of milder stretches and periods of more traditional winter weather.

The overall outlook calls for temperatures that are generally above normal, although that doesn't mean South Dakotans will escape the cold.

The Almanac says the Upper Midwest should transition toward colder-than-normal temperatures as winter progresses, with the coldest stretch expected around mid- to late January.

Snowfall could be another story. The forecast calls for near- to below-normal snowfall overall, but there should still be several opportunities for snow.

The Almanac highlights early and late January, late February and early March as periods when snow could be more likely.

That means South Dakota could experience a winter of weather swings—milder conditions followed by sudden cold snaps, snow and strong winds.

Of course, this is a long-range prediction, not a day-by-day forecast. But if the Almanac is right, South Dakota's winter could feature fewer overall snowstorms, but still plenty of opportunities for cold, wind and winter weather.