High Wind — Aurora, South Dakota

2026-01-21 · Aurora, South Dakota

Event narrative

Northwest winds were sustained from 40 to 53 mph with gusts as high as 71 mph 4 miles west of Plankinton and 64 mph at a South Dakota Mesonet site near White Lake.

Wider weather episode

Winds behind yet another arctic front reached speeds from 35 to 55 mph with gusts as high as 75 mph across southeast South Dakota. When periods of light snowfall occurred that would total between one and two inches north of Highway 18, gusty winds produced considerable near-blizzard and very brief blizzard conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1315479. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.