Clark County Emergency Management

04/01/2026

A Winter Storm Watch has been issued for Friday and Saturday.

Summary & Forecast Confidence:
The first of two rounds of wintry weather will continue through Thursday morning/afternoon. Around 2-5 inches of snow is expected over north central and part of northeastern SD and west central MN. Trace amounts to 2 inches is expected over south central and east central SD. As temperatures warm slightly through the remainder of the afternoon and evening, a wintry mix & freezing rain will be possible, particularly around Watertown and in east central SD. These areas could receive a light glaze up to 0.1 inch of ice. The combination of the falling snow and winds gusting to 15 to 30 mph over central SD could reduce visibilities to a half mile or less at times.

A few unknown factors continue to lead to some uncertainty on snowfall amounts during this first wave. How much rain/wintry mix that mixes in with the snow at times and the temperatures being around or slightly above freezing along with dry air in the atmosphere will all play a part in how much snow accumulates.

There will be a brief lull in the precipitation Thursday afternoon into the evening before the 2nd round of winter weather moves in Thursday night into Saturday. This second wave also has the potential to produce 6 inches or more of snow, with a 50-90% chance of 6" of snow to the northwest of a line from Hayes to Redfield to Wheaton. This second event may also produce freezing rain Thursday night into Friday morning from Pierre to Ortonville.

Timing: First Wave: Snow/wintry mix will continue through the afternoon. The heaviest snow will fall over north-central SD this afternoon into tonight, then focus will be over eastern and northeastern SD late tonight into Thursday. The wintry mix & freezing rain potential will occur this afternoon into the evening.

Second Wave: There will be a little break in the snow Thursday afternoon into the evening before a snow/wintry mix of precipitation develops late Thursday night through Friday morning, and then transition to all snow by Friday evening. The snow will continue Friday night into Saturday morning before slowly coming to an end from west to east by Saturday afternoon.

Impacts: While snow may initially melt on roads and surfaces, the longer duration of the snowfall will likely lead to roads becoming snow covered and slippery, especially during periods of moderate to heavy snowfall. Locations where freezing rain occurs may also produce slippery spots on roads and sidewalks.

04/01/2026

The first of two rounds of wintry weather will arrive this morning. Snow will initially move in over central SD this morning and spread east by late morning through the afternoon. Around 4-6 inches is expected over north central and part of northeastern SD and west central MN. 2-4 inches is expected over south central and east central SD. As temperatures warm slightly this afternoon and evening, a wintry mix & freezing rain will be possible, particularly around Watertown and in east central SD. These areas could receive a light glaze up to a couple tenths of an inch of ice. The combination of the falling snow and winds gusting to 15 to 30 mph over central SD could reduce visibilities to a half mile or less at times.

A few unknown factors still lead to some uncertainty on snowfall amounts during this first wave. Differences in the track of the heaviest snow, how much rain/wintry mix that mixes in with the snow at times, temperatures being around or slightly above freezing along with dry air in the atmosphere will all play a part in how much snow accumulates.

There will be a brief lull in the precipitation Thursday night before the 2nd round of wintry weather moves in Friday into Saturday. This second wave also has the potential to produce 4 inches or more of snow, with a 50-90% chance of 4" of snow to the northwest of a line from Pierre to Watertown. This second event may also produce freezing rain Thursday night into Friday morning from Pierre to Ortonville.

Timing: First Wave: Snow moves into central South Dakota this morning, spreading northeast across the rest of the area through the late morning into early afternoon. The heaviest snow will fall over north-central SD today, then focus over eastern and northeastern SD tonight before continuing into Thursday. The wintry mix & freezing rain potential will occur this afternoon into the evening.

Second Wave: There will be a little break in the snow Thursday evening before a snow/wintry mix of precipitation develops late Thursday night, before increasing in intensity on Friday and transitioning to all snow by Friday evening. The snow will continue Friday night into Saturday morning before slowly coming to an end from west to east by Saturday night.

Impacts: While snow may initially melt on roads and surfaces, the longer duration of the snowfall will likely lead to roads becoming snow covered and slippery, especially during periods of moderate to heavy snowfall. Locations where freezing rain occurs may also produce slippery spots on roads and sidewalks.

03/31/2026

The first of two rounds of wintry weather will arrive late tonight into Wednesday. A rain/snow mix initially across south-central SD tonight will transition to all snow by early morning and spread north and east through the daytime hours on Wednesday. Most of the region has between a 40% and 70% chance of experiencing 2 inches of snow from this first round. The combination of the falling snow and winds gusting to 20 to 30 mph over central SD could reduce visibilities to a half mile or less at times. Light freezing rain will be possible around the Watertown area by early Thursday with a light glaze of accumulation possible.

Uncertainty still remains on snowfall amounts during this first wave due to differences in the track of the heaviest snow, how much rain mixes in with the snow at times, along with temperatures being around or slightly above freezing.

There will be a brief lull in the precipitation Thursday night before the 2nd round of wintry weather moves in Friday into Saturday. This second wave also has the potential to produce 2 inches or more of snow, with a 40-70% chance of 2" of snow to the northwest of a line from Chamberlain to Ortonville. This second event may also produce freezing rain over eastern South Dakota and into west central Minnesota on Friday morning.

Timing: First Wave: Snow moves into central South Dakota late Tonight into Wednesday morning, spreading northeast across the rest of the area through the day Wednesday. The heaviest snow will fall over central SD on Wednesday, then focus over eastern and northeastern SD Wednesday evening and night before continuing into Thursday.

Second Wave: A wintry mix of precipitation will develop late Thursday night, before increasing in intensity on Friday and transitioning to all snow by Friday evening. The snow will continue Friday night into Saturday morning before slowly coming to an end from southwest to northeast by Saturday night.

Impacts: While snow may initially melt on roads, the longer duration of the snowfall will likely lead to lead to roads becoming snow covered and slippery, especially during periods of moderate to heavy snowfall. Locations where freezing rain occurs may also produce slippery spots on roads and sidewalks.

03/31/2026

Today: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind 18 to 23 mph, with gusts as high as 32 mph.
Tonight: A chance of snow, mainly after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 26. Northeast wind 14 to 16 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Wednesday: Snow likely before 4pm, then rain and snow likely. Cloudy, with a high near 38. Breezy, with an east wind 16 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
Wednesday Night: Snow, possibly mixed with rain, becoming all snow after 4am. Patchy blowing snow after 4am. Low around 28. Breezy, with an east wind 18 to 22 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Thursday: Snow, mainly before 1pm. Patchy blowing snow before 1pm. High near 34. East-northeast wind 14 to 18 mph, with gusts as high as 26 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of 1 to 2 inches possible.
Thursday Night: A chance of snow and freezing rain after 1am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 27. East northeast wind 11 to 14 mph. Chance of precipitation is 50%.

03/30/2026

Today: Mostly sunny, with a high near 66. East-northeast wind 9 to 17 mph becoming south-southwest in the afternoon.
Tonight: A chance of rain between 1am and 4am. Increasing clouds, with a low around 34. Breezy, with an east-northeast wind 11 to 16 mph becoming north 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 37 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Tuesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 43. Breezy, with a north-northwest wind 23 to 28 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 24. North wind 14 to 17 mph becoming east-northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 25 mph.

03/26/2026

03/26/2026

Just a reminder that you must call in to Watertown dispatch (605) 882-6210 for any Control Burns. This is to make sure that we don't waste resources dispatching the Sheriff, EM, and the local Fire Department to a fire that is controlled by the landowner. Share with your neighbor.

Clark County Ordinance #03-02
SECTION 3 REPORT OF CONTROLLED BURNING REQUIRED

A. During times when a fire emergency has NOT been declared and open burning is allowed without permit, it shall be the duty of any person committing, creating, maintaining, or permitting a controlled burn to notify the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center that said controlled burn will be taking place. This notification may be done by telephone to the Dispatch Center and should include the location of the fire, when it will occur, and what is being burned. This notification requirement does NOT apply to small fires in burning barrels, or small fires of trash, leaves, branches or campfires.

B. Any Person who shall create, commit, maintain, or permit to be created, committed, or maintained, an open burning without first notifying the Clark County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch Center shall be deemed in violation of the Ordinance, and subject to all criminal and civil penalties provided herein.

SECTION 4 PENALTY AND REMEDY.
A. Penalty. A violation of this Ordinance shall be punishable by a fine of up to Two Hundred and no/100 Dollars ($200.00), or thirty (30) days in jail, or both for each offense. Each and every day that the violation continues shall constitute a separate offense.

B. In addition, a violation of the Ordinance shall constitute a public nuisance and in addition to all other remedies provided herein, the State’s Attorney may, by civil process, seek permanent abatement of said nuisance pursuant to SDCL Chapter 21-8.
Clark County Sheriff’s Office Dispatch is (605) 882-6210.

03/26/2026

URGENT - FIRE WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD

FIRE WEATHER WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SATURDAY MORNING THROUGH SATURDAY EVENING FOR WIND AND LOW RELATIVE HUMIDITY FOR PORTIONS OF EAST CENTRAL SOUTH DAKOTA...

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen has issued a Fire
Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in
effect from Saturday morning through Saturday evening.

* AFFECTED AREA...In South Dakota, Clark, Codington, Grant,
Hamlin and Deuel.

* WINDS...Southwest 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph.

* RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 20 percent.

* IMPACTS...Any fires that ignite will spread rapidly and become
difficult to control or suppress.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A Fire Weather Watch means that critical fire weather conditions
are forecast to occur. Listen for later forecasts and possible
Red Flag Warnings.

03/26/2026

Today: A chance of snow before 3pm, then a chance of sprinkles between 3pm and 4pm. Mostly cloudy, with a high near 36. Breezy, with a north wind 18 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: Mostly cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly clear, with a low around 19. North wind 9 to 17 mph becoming west after midnight.
Friday: Sunny, with a high near 38. North-northwest wind 11 to 17 mph.
Friday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around 26. West-northwest wind 8 to 18 mph becoming south in the evening. Winds could gust as high as 28 mph.
Saturday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 58. Breezy, with a south-southwest wind 18 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 34 mph.
Saturday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 37. South-southeast wind 13 to 16 mph, with gusts as high as 24 mph.
Sunday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 67. South-southeast wind around 14 mph.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 35. North-northwest wind 10 to 16 mph becoming northeast in the evening.

03/25/2026

Today: Isolated sprinkles between 10am and 1pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 68. South wind 7 to 10 mph becoming west-northwest in the afternoon.
Tonight: A slight chance of rain between 1am and 4am, then a chance of sprinkles after 4am. Mostly cloudy, with a low around 34. Breezy, with a west wind 7 to 12 mph becoming north-northeast 18 to 23 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 32 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Thursday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41. Breezy, with a north wind 21 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 36 mph.
Thursday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 18. North wind 10 to 18 mph.

03/23/2026

Today: A chance of sprinkles with a slight chance of showers before 4pm, then a chance of sprinkles after 5pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 46. Breezy, with a south wind 9 to 14 mph increasing to 19 to 24 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 33 mph. Chance of precipitation is 20%.
Tonight: A chance of sprinkles before 7pm. Partly cloudy, with a low around 31. Breezy, with a south wind 14 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 29 mph.
Tuesday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 56. South-southeast wind 11 to 13 mph.
Tuesday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 39. South-southeast wind around 11 mph.