Extreme Cold/Wind Chill — Potter, South Dakota

2025-02-11 · Potter, South Dakota

Wider weather episode

Arctic high pressure made a slow progression through the Northern and Central Plains from February 10th through the 14th, resulting in extreme cold and dangerous wind chills. On the morning of the 11th, low temperatures at Aberdeen and Mobridge reached 26 and 27 degrees below zero, respectively, with widespread wind chill values ranging from 35 to 55 degrees below zero. The coldest observed wind chill that morning was 54 degrees below zero, recorded by the South Dakota State University (SDSU) mesonet station near Trail City. The lowest wind chill observed by the Automated Surface Observation Station (ASOS) at Aberdeen Regional Airport was 44 degrees below zero, while the ASOS at Mobridge Municipal Airport recorded 38 degrees below zero. Daytime temperatures remained frigid, with high temperatures in the single digits on either side of zero. The National Weather Service COOP observer in Pollock reported a high of 9 degrees below zero, while the SDSU mesonet stations in McIntosh and 2 miles north-northwest of Herreid recorded highs of 5 degrees below zero.

On the morning of February 12th, temperatures dropped into the teens to more than 30 degrees below zero. The coldest reading, 34 degrees below zero, was recorded by the SDSU mesonet site 2 miles north-northwest of Herreid. Wind chills at that location fell to 48 degrees below zero, with most other locations experiencing wind chills as low as 30 to 40 degrees below zero. Daytime highs again remained in the single digits, with the SDSU mesonet stations in McIntosh and 2 miles southeast of McLaughlin only warming to 4 degrees below zero.

Overnight into the morning of February 13th, temperatures once again fell into the 20s and 30s below zero. The coldest reading, 36 degrees below zero, was recorded 4 miles north-northwest of Wakpala. The SDSU mesonet stations 4 miles southwest of Mound City and 2 miles southeast of McLaughlin each recorded 31 degrees below zero. The ASOS at Aberdeen Regional Airport reported a low of 28 degrees below zero. Wind chills were similarly severe, with a low of 53 degrees below zero observed at the Herreid mesonet site, and a minimum wind chill of 44 degrees below zero recorded by the Aberdeen ASOS.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1227751. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.