Much More Needed Rain in the Forecast

The pattern has finally changed… that pattern that kept rain away from South Dakota has finally broken allowing storm systems to move through and therefore bringing rain to the area.  In fact, if you look to the previous blog which is underneath this one, rain has been fairly regular ever since we entered August with some locations actually above average since the start of the month.  Well more good news… several waves are expected to roll through the area going into the weekend which will bring more scattered storms and widespread rain chances for the next several days.  In fact, we could even be faced with heavy rain situation that could lead some to begin recovery from summer rainfall deficits.

Here is the 5-day rainfall forecast from the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center or HPC.  This shows chances for widespread rain going through the next 5 days with very beneficial rains possible across the east.


Notice most of the area can expect some rain with widespread 1-2 inch amounts east of the James River.  That would prove to be a big step forward in recovering some of the deficits that continue to grow in many spots.

There is also a chance for some of us to get some locally heavier rainfall, if luck can swing in our favor…. And that’s a big if.  So the image from forecasting computer model below shows rainfall totals from a 6-hour period Saturday night across the upper Midwest.  Pay particular attention to where the colors match up in the region.

This shows significant rain is possible just to our east in parts of Minnesota and Iowa.  Now, I realize this is just out of our area, but a lot can change in the amount of time we have until Saturday night.  Often times these storms form in different locations and at different times then what the computer models are showing more then 4 days out. So at least this gives many hope that there could be some very beneficial rainfall this upcoming weekend if luck swings our way. 


*****************************PREVIOUS BLOG********************************


Rain over the weekend, brought some pretty decent amounts of rainfall to some very dry areas.
In fact, it was the single largest rainfall event since May 19th-20th, when well over an inch of rain fell in Sioux Falls.



Sioux Falls Airport saw the largest rainfall totals with just over three quarters of an inch, followed by many towns around Sioux Falls seeing between three quarters of an inch and a quarter of an inch total.



Saturday's rainfall almost doubled August's total rainfall. The region is doing much better for the month of August than the record dry July.



But even though rainfall totals have increased, we still have quite the deficit to make up. Last Friday, Sioux Falls was a little over 7 inches below average for Summer rainfall. Thanks to heavy rain this weekend those totals have fallen slightly, however there is still a major deficit for the entire state.



Drought conditions continue to prevail over the region, with extreme drought condition in eighteen percent of the state. Rainfall chances this week will be confined towards the end of the week, as high pressure will remain in place for the first half bringing clear skies and warm temperatures.