It was a tale of two meteorological winters (December 2021 through February 2022) across the area: far northeastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota observed below average temperatures and above average precipitation and snow, while central South Dakota observed near to slightly above average temperatures and below average precipitation and snow. Specifically, Sisseton recorded their 5^th wettest meteorological winter on record with 3.48” of moisture (5.32” from 1951-1952), and 6^th snowiest with 44.0” (71.5” in 2010-2011). Meanwhile, Pierre tied their 4^th driest meteorological winter on record with just 0.32” of moisture (0.16” in 1982-1983), and recorded their 7^th least snowy winter with 5.2” (0.6” in 1982-83). Less than just 200 miles made all the difference! A fairly persistent upper-level pattern was largely responsible – northwest flow aloft ushered in several storm systems which followed a similar track, keeping some areas generally colder and wetter while others milder and drier.

Meteorological Winter 2021-2022 (Dec-Feb) average temperature departure from normal, from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Daily observed highs (top of the vertical blue bars) and lows (bottom of the vertical blue bars) throughout the three meteorological winter months at Aberdeen, Watertown and Pierre respectively. This plot also shows these observed temperatures in the context of normal highs and lows (top and bottom of the tan shaded area) as well as daily record high and cold temperatures (top of the red and bottom of the blue shaded areas). Some perspective can be gained on just how widely temperatures fluctuated this winter, both within single days and from day to day. Specific numbers can be seen on an interactive version of this display, and for additional locations, here. 

Meteorological Winter 2021-2022 (Dec-Feb) total precipitation (top) and departure from normal (bottom), from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Meteorological Winter 2021-2022 (Dec-Feb) total snow (left) and departure from normal (right), from the Midwestern Regional Climate Center

The Accumulated Winter Season Severity Index (AWSSI), from the MRCC, attempts to answer the question "How severe was this winter?" by comparing factors such as the intensity and persistence of cold weather, the amount of snow, and the amount and persistence of snow on the ground from this cold season to past seasons in the historical record for a select number of locations across the United States. Each location is then assigned a category - below is a snapshot as of March 1st. As you can see, Pierre, Mobridge and Aberdeen have had a "less severe than average" cold season thus far, whereas Watertown has generally had an "average" cold season. Areas further northeast though, such as at Fargo, ND, has had a "severe" cold season, and this category would likely apply to places like Sisseton as well. 

Below are graphs that plot out the AWSSI categories over time, at, and in this order, Pierre, Mobridge, Aberdeen, Watertown, and Fargo, ND, as of March 1st, 2022.