972 FXUS63 KABR 281721 AFDABR Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Aberdeen SD 1121 AM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Band of snow continues to weaken. There is some brief re- intensification up towards north central SD. Just another 1/2 to 1 inch snowfall expected for the rest of the day. - After a cooldown this weekend, temperatures will warm back up to above normal values again next week. && .UPDATE... Issued at 1115 AM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 Band has weakened across the Sisseton Hills/Glacial Lakes region though there is some re-development up along the ND/SD state line. As such, have extended out McPherson county and will leave northeast South Dakotas headlines in place. See below for an update to the aviation discussion... && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 111 AM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 As of 1 AM CST, temperatures around the region are in the single digits to mid 20s. Winds are out of the north to northeast at 10 to 15 mph. Snow is currently falling over north central SD and will continue to move east through the morning hours. Not too much in the way of a change in the forecast today. We are still looking at 2 to 4 inches of accumulation across north central and northeastern SD into west central MN, with some locally higher amounts possible. The main concern with the snowfall forecast is an area of dry air just above the surface over northeast SD and how long it will take for that layer to saturate and snow to reach the ground. If it takes an hour or two, current snowfall totals should be ok, but if it ends up taking five or six hours, we could way underachieve. There is also some instability above that dry layer which could create bands of locally increased intensity of snowfall, which would lead to earlier saturation and therefore earlier snowfall. However, the location of those bands is uncertain. The HREF is showing some 30% chances for snowfall rates of over an inch per hour after about 5 AM across portions of north and east SD. This lasts through the late morning but doesn't look to last for more than an hour at any particular location. Model guidance has shifted south a little, so pulled QPF south a bit to cover that. Added Codington and Deuel counties to the advisory as well. Fortunately, winds don't look to be overly strong so blowing snow is not expected to be an issue this time around. Temperatures for the weekend will be below average by about 10-20 degrees before we get a warm up for the work week. Still see some light precipitation chances showing up. Some rain showers are possible Monday afternoon, changing over to snow during the evening and overnight hours over far north and northeast SD. Thursday brings back snow chances, but accumulations at this point look to be light. With the warmer temperatures expected this week, grassland fire danger will continue to be an issue in south central SD where there is a lack of snow cover and temperatures are warmest. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY/... Issued at 1115 AM CST Sat Feb 28 2026 Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG A mix of MVFR/VFR conditions for all terminals with a now weakened band of snow near KABR/KATY that will fluctuate in intensity with an overall downward trend. Gradually, VFR conditions will set in, with a shift from northeast winds to southerly for Sunday. && .ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...Winter Weather Advisory until 1 PM CST this afternoon for SDZ005. Winter Weather Advisory until 3 PM CST this afternoon for SDZ006>008-011-018>023. MN...None. && $$ UPDATE...07 DISCUSSION...13 AVIATION...07