Alert archive / South Dakota / Frost Advisories in 2026
Frost Advisory 2, NWS Sioux Falls, SD
NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued this frost advisory at May 5, 2026, 1:19 PM CDT for 9 counties in Iowa; 10 counties in South Dakota; Jackson County, Minnesota. It took effect at May 6, 2026, 1:00 AM CDT. It was in force for 6 hr.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- May 5, 2026, 1:19 PM CDT (18:19 UTC)
- In effect from
- May 6, 2026, 1:00 AM CDT
- Expired
- May 6, 2026, 7:00 AM CDT
- In force
- 6 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Sioux Falls, SD
Counties Buena Vista County, IA, Cherokee County, IA, Clay County, IA, Dickinson County, IA, Lyon County, IA, O'Brien County, IA, Osceola County, IA, Plymouth County, IA, Sioux County, IA, Jackson County, MN, Bon Homme County, SD, Charles Mix County, SD, Clay County, SD, Douglas County, SD, Gregory County, SD, Hutchinson County, SD, Lincoln County, SD, Turner County, SD, Union County, SD, Yankton County, SD
The radar
The Sioux Falls radar (KFSD), 51 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:17 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 6.3 hours before the alert went out and 309 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 1487 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 78 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- -115 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- -45 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
472 WWUS73 KFSD 051819 NPWFSD URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 119 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 MNZ071-072-080-081-089-097-098-SDZ038>040-052>062-060530- /O.NEW.KFSD.FZ.W.0002.260506T0600Z-260506T1200Z/ Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Pipestone-Rock-Beadle- Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora- Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha- Including the cities of Worthington, Wessington Springs, Salem, Emery, Stickney, Chamberlain, White Lake, Plankinton, Brookings, Bridgewater, Marshall, Lake Preston, Madison, Fulda, Alexandria, Arlington, Lake Benton, Ivanhoe, Pipestone, Alpena, Hendricks, Mitchell, Howard, Windom, Woonsocket, Luverne, Canistota, Flandreau, Huron, Sioux Falls, Tyler, Orland, Montrose, Mountain Lake, De Smet, Kimball, and Slayton 119 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 ...FREEZE WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 26 expected. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Minnesota and central, east central, south central, and southeast South Dakota. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 7 AM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-MNZ090-SDZ064>067-070-071-060530- /O.NEW.KFSD.FR.Y.0002.260506T0600Z-260506T1200Z/ Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Jackson-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Clay-Union- Including the cities of Hawarden, Hartley, Hurley, Chancellor, Spirit Lake, Clayton, Delmont, Marion, Milford, Hull, Lakefield, Le Mars, Cherokee, Jackson, Armour, Rock Rapids, Larchwood, Freeman, Sibley, Beresford, Parker, North Sioux City, Sheldon, Canton, Sanborn, Jefferson, Tea, Harrisburg, Viborg, Sioux Center, Corsica, Arnolds Park, Tripp, Alcester, Parkston, Storm Lake, Irene, Rock Valley, Inwood, Menno, George, Lennox, Orange City, Centerville, Vermillion, Elk Point, and Spencer 119 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 ...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 32 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, and south central and southeast South Dakota. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 7 AM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$ IG
3 follow-up statements
468 WWUS73 KFSD 060113 NPWFSD URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 813 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 MNZ071-072-080-081-089-097-098-SDZ038>040-052>062-060900- /O.CON.KFSD.FZ.W.0002.260506T0600Z-260506T1200Z/ Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Pipestone-Rock-Beadle- Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora- Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha- Including the cities of Fulda, De Smet, Emery, Alexandria, Lake Benton, Huron, Windom, Marshall, Arlington, Flandreau, Madison, Howard, White Lake, Wessington Springs, Stickney, Pipestone, Salem, Alpena, Orland, Mitchell, Woonsocket, Sioux Falls, Canistota, Bridgewater, Luverne, Lake Preston, Brookings, Hendricks, Montrose, Worthington, Kimball, Plankinton, Tyler, Ivanhoe, Slayton, Mountain Lake, and Chamberlain 813 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 27 expected. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Minnesota and central, east central, south central, and southeast South Dakota. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 7 AM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$ SDZ050-063-068-069-060900- /O.EXA.KFSD.FR.Y.0002.260506T0600Z-260506T1200Z/ Gregory-Charles Mix-Bon Homme-Yankton- Including the cities of Lake Andes, Springfield, Tabor, Marty, Yankton, Platte, Scotland, Avon, Tyndall, Gregory, Burke, and Wagner 813 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 ...FROST ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 30 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Charles Mix, Gregory, Bon Homme, and Yankton Counties. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 7 AM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-MNZ090-SDZ064>067-070-071-060900- /O.CON.KFSD.FR.Y.0002.260506T0600Z-260506T1200Z/ Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Jackson-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Lincoln-Clay-Union- Including the cities of Corsica, George, Sioux Center, Marion, Sheldon, Lakefield, Hartley, Parkston, Menno, Freeman, Hawarden, Cherokee, Centerville, Sanborn, Lennox, Harrisburg, Jefferson, Rock Rapids, Vermillion, Arnolds Park, Larchwood, Hurley, Spencer, Delmont, Canton, Tea, Irene, Beresford, Le Mars, Parker, Elk Point, Orange City, Tripp, Storm Lake, Alcester, Milford, Sibley, Viborg, Inwood, North Sioux City, Rock Valley, Chancellor, Spirit Lake, Jackson, Armour, Clayton, and Hull 813 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 ...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 7 AM CDT WEDNESDAY... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 30 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, and south central and southeast South Dakota. * WHEN...From 1 AM to 7 AM CDT Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$ AP
445 WWUS73 KFSD 060812 NPWFSD URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 312 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 MNZ071-072-080-081-089-097-098-SDZ038>040-052>062-061200- /O.CON.KFSD.FZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260506T1200Z/ Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Pipestone-Rock-Beadle- Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora- Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha- Including the cities of Sioux Falls, White Lake, Windom, Emery, Canistota, Montrose, Slayton, Madison, Woonsocket, Huron, Flandreau, Luverne, Bridgewater, Tyler, Lake Benton, Alexandria, De Smet, Mitchell, Brookings, Kimball, Marshall, Howard, Salem, Stickney, Fulda, Worthington, Plankinton, Lake Preston, Ivanhoe, Alpena, Mountain Lake, Chamberlain, Arlington, Wessington Springs, Pipestone, Hendricks, and Orland 312 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...FREEZE WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Sub-freezing temperatures as low as 29. * WHERE...Portions of southwest Minnesota and central, east central, south central, and southeast South Dakota. * WHEN...Until 7 AM CDT this morning. * IMPACTS...Frost and freeze conditions could kill crops, other sensitive vegetation and possibly damage unprotected outdoor plumbing. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-MNZ090-SDZ050-063>071-061200- /O.CON.KFSD.FR.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-260506T1200Z/ Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Jackson-Gregory-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner- Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay-Union- Including the cities of Springfield, Tabor, Inwood, Viborg, Marion, Parkston, Lake Andes, Gregory, Menno, Clayton, Sioux Center, Arnolds Park, Harrisburg, Yankton, Alcester, Sheldon, Elk Point, Lakefield, Milford, Spencer, Sanborn, Jackson, Hartley, Rock Rapids, Irene, Tea, Armour, Hull, Parker, Lennox, Scotland, Storm Lake, Tripp, Vermillion, Hurley, Larchwood, Delmont, George, Jefferson, Wagner, Burke, Le Mars, Avon, Orange City, Centerville, Sibley, Platte, Spirit Lake, North Sioux City, Tyndall, Beresford, Hawarden, Marty, Freeman, Rock Valley, Canton, Cherokee, Corsica, and Chancellor 312 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...FROST ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING... * WHAT...Temperatures as low as 31 will result in frost formation. * WHERE...Portions of northwest Iowa, southwest Minnesota, and south central and southeast South Dakota. * WHEN...Until 7 AM CDT this morning. * IMPACTS...Frost could harm sensitive outdoor vegetation. Sensitive outdoor plants may be killed if left uncovered. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Take steps now to protect tender plants from the cold. && $$ JH
206 WWUS73 KFSD 061144 NPWFSD URGENT - WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 644 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 MNZ071-072-080-081-089-097-098-SDZ038>040-052>062-061245- /O.EXP.KFSD.FZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-260506T1200Z/ Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Pipestone-Rock-Beadle- Kingsbury-Brookings-Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora- Davison-Hanson-McCook-Minnehaha- Including the cities of Sioux Falls, White Lake, Windom, Emery, Canistota, Montrose, Slayton, Madison, Woonsocket, Huron, Flandreau, Luverne, Bridgewater, Tyler, Lake Benton, Alexandria, De Smet, Mitchell, Brookings, Kimball, Marshall, Howard, Salem, Stickney, Fulda, Worthington, Plankinton, Lake Preston, Ivanhoe, Alpena, Mountain Lake, Chamberlain, Arlington, Wessington Springs, Pipestone, Hendricks, and Orland 644 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...FREEZE WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING... After overnight lows near to below freezing, temperatures will quickly recover into the upper 30s to lower 40s by 9 am. $$ IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-MNZ090-SDZ050-063>071-061245- /O.EXP.KFSD.FR.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-260506T1200Z/ Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Jackson-Gregory-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner- Lincoln-Bon Homme-Yankton-Clay-Union- Including the cities of Springfield, Tabor, Inwood, Viborg, Marion, Parkston, Lake Andes, Gregory, Menno, Clayton, Sioux Center, Arnolds Park, Harrisburg, Yankton, Alcester, Sheldon, Elk Point, Lakefield, Milford, Spencer, Sanborn, Jackson, Hartley, Rock Rapids, Irene, Tea, Armour, Hull, Parker, Lennox, Scotland, Storm Lake, Tripp, Vermillion, Hurley, Larchwood, Delmont, George, Jefferson, Wagner, Burke, Le Mars, Avon, Orange City, Centerville, Sibley, Platte, Spirit Lake, North Sioux City, Tyndall, Beresford, Hawarden, Marty, Freeman, Rock Valley, Canton, Cherokee, Corsica, and Chancellor 644 AM CDT Wed May 6 2026 ...FROST ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 7 AM CDT THIS MORNING... After overnight lows near to slightly below freezing, temperatures will quickly recover into the lower 40s by 9 am. $$ JH
What forecasters said that day
The local office's own words before this frost advisory went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.
NWS Sioux Falls, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before this frost advisory went out at May 5, 12:27 PM CDT, 52 minutes earlier. Its key messages:
- Tonight into early Wednesday will bring the greatest risk of near to below freezing temperatures this week, especially for portions of southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota. Take precautions to avoid damage to sensitive outdoor plants.
- Areas of frost or near-freezing temperatures will again be possible early Thursday morning, but near to above normal temperatures return Thursday afternoon through the weekend with highs mainly in the 60s to 70s.
Area forecast discussion, May 5, 12:27 PM CDT, 52 minutes before
Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 1227 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 .KEY MESSAGES... - Tonight into early Wednesday will bring the greatest risk of near to below freezing temperatures this week, especially for portions of southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota. Take precautions to avoid damage to sensitive outdoor plants. - Areas of frost or near-freezing temperatures will again be possible early Thursday morning, but near to above normal temperatures return Thursday afternoon through the weekend with highs mainly in the 60s to 70s. && .UPDATE... Issued at 410 AM CDT Tue May 5 2026 A few observations have dipped to freezing or below early this morning, but these areas have begun to level off or even rebound slightly as we begin to see some increase in mid to high level clouds from the west. This will lead into a couple of chilly early May days. While highs today and Wednesday will be in the 50s most areas, breezy northwest winds during the daylight hours will make it feel even cooler. Winds drop off tonight, setting the stage for what will likely be the coldest night of the week. While NBM maintains lows in the upper 20s to lower 30s over most of the CWA for Wednesday morning, these values are 2-4 degrees colder than the mean low temperature in raw model data with no bias-correction included. Looking at it another way, the probability of daybreak temps below 32F is 80+% over the northwest half of the forecast area in the NBM, but less than 40% in the LREF raw ensemble data. This lends some uncertainty to the low temperature forecast for tonight, so opted to hold off another cycle on freeze headlines. Day shift will take another look, though headlines will likely be needed later today for at least part of the CWA. && .DISCUSSION... Issued at 126 PM CDT Mon May 4 2026 CURRENTS & TONIGHT: Another mild and breezy day persists! Taking a look across the area, the breeziness continues behind this morning's cold front with most observations showing northerly wind with gusts between 25-35 mph along with temperatures mainly in the 50s to 60s. With deeper mixing and lower dew points, near-critical RH values continue with values in the 25-30 percent range. While the combination of the ingredients above have led to locally elevated fire concerns; decided to hold off on any fire-related headlines mainly due to greening fuels. Otherwise, can't completely rule out a few scattered sprinkles along and south of the Highway-20 corridor this evening. Nonetheless, with limited saturation according to sounding; expect any accumulations to very light at best. Lastly, as cloud cover thins and surface winds lighten overnight; an influx of cooler air will lead to temperatures mainly in the low to upper 30s for the night. With this in mind, could see some patchy frost develop mainly along the Highway-14 corridor overnight. While the extent is still in question mainly due to a higher dew point depression, decided to also hold off on an frost/freeze headlines at this time. TUESDAY-THURSDAY: Looking into the midweek, we'll continue to sit in northerly flow aloft as a predominantly troughy pattern continues aloft. With lingering mid-level cold air advection (CAA) and predominantly northwesterly flow in place at the surface, expect temperatures to temporarily decrease through at least Wednesday with highs mainly in the low to upper 50s. With lows expected to be near to below freezing (26-32 degrees) each night, additional chances for more widespread frost/freeze development are expected especially by Wednesday. However, with an 8-10 degree dew point depression and variable cloud cover at times; there are still some questions as to extent of the frost/freeze. Nonetheless, we should be about to hit a turning point by Thursday as increasing mid-level warm air advection (WAA) and the return of southwesterly to westerly winds help highs climb back into the 60s. Lastly, any precipitation chances continue to look rather limited for the period. THE WEEKEND: Heading into the extended period, an active pattern will once again return as northwesterly flow helps usher in multiple waves through our area. The strongest of which looks to arrive between Saturday to Sunday. While there is still some variability among long-range guidance, this still looks like our best chances (30%-40%) for areas along and south of I-90 to see rain. This is further agreed upon within ensemble guidance with most members showing a 20%-40% chance of 0.10" of an inch or greater of QPF. While not a drought buster by any means, any potential rain chances are encouraged at this point. Lastly, we'll continue our warming trend into the weekend with highs mainly in the 60s to low 70s. && .AVIATION /18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z WEDNESDAY/... Issued at 1223 PM CDT Tue May 5 2026 VFR conditions will continue this TAF period. Taking a look at satellite imagery, a robust cumulus field continues to spread southwards this afternoon. While precipitation isn't expected, the overcast skies will continue through late evening before dissipating. Otherwise, breezy northerly winds will continue through this evening before becoming light and variable overnight. && .FSD WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... SD...None. MN...None. IA...None. NE...None. && UPDATE...JH DISCUSSION...05 AVIATION...05
Hazardous weather outlook, May 5, 3:13 AM CDT, 10 hours 6 minutes before
Hazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD 313 AM CDT Tue May 5 2026 IAZ001>003-012>014-020>022-031-032-MNZ071-072-080-081-089-090-097- 098-NEZ013-014-SDZ038>040-050-052>071-060815- Lyon-Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Clay-Plymouth-Cherokee- Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-Lincoln-Murray-Cottonwood-Nobles-Jackson- Pipestone-Rock-Dixon-Dakota-Beadle-Kingsbury-Brookings-Gregory- Jerauld-Sanborn-Miner-Lake-Moody-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-McCook- Minnehaha-Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Turner-Bon Homme-Yankton- Union- 313 AM CDT Tue May 5 2026 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, west central Iowa, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska, central South Dakota, east central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and southeast South Dakota. .DAY ONE...Today and tonight. Tonight into early Wednesday will bring the greatest risk of late night temperatures falling below freezing this week, especially across portions of southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota. Take precautions to avoid damage to sensitive outdoor plants tonight. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Wednesday through Monday. Areas of frost or near-freezing temperatures will again be possible early Thursday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotter activation is not expected at this time.
The office that day
Everything else NWS Sioux Falls, SD issued on the same UTC day.
| Issued | Product | Office | Counties | Lasted |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| May 5, 1:19 PM CDT | Freeze Warning | FSD | Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brule, Davison, Hanson and 8 more | 18 hr |
Nearby
Frost Advisories in South Dakota, 2026Frost Advisories in Iowa, 2026Frost Advisories in Minnesota, 2026Every frost advisory in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.