The Earliest and Latest Sioux Falls Has Gotten Snow

The falling leaves got me thinking about the history of snow in Sioux Falls. More specifically, what are some of the extreme snow records that our city has experienced? So I dug into the National Weather Service archives to find out.

On average, Sioux Falls is free of snow from May to September. We usually get our first snowfall in November. but, an October visit from Jack Frost isn't out of the question. And some years old man winter overstays his welcome.

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When Does Sioux Falls Get Its Last Snow?

The latest in the season that Sioux Falls has gotten snow was a trace of snow on June 3, 1998.

For measurable snow; the latest in the season was on May 18, 1968, when Sioux Falls got 0.1 of an inch. Twenty-five years that, Sioux Falls was blanketed with two inches on May 12, 1943.

On April 30, 1994, Mother Nature gave the city a little winter reminder when 10.5 inches buried Sioux Falls. I'm sure the melting that came after that storm was a mess.

YouTube Flashback: Sioux Falls TV News Coverage of the Blizzard of ’97

When Does Sioux Falls Get Its First Snow?

The earliest that Sioux Falls has had some snow is September 9, 2020, when a trace of snow fell. The previous record for the earliest snow was September 18, 1929. Again, only a trace of snow fell on the Model As cruising Phillips Avenue that day.

Ten years later in 1939, Sioux Falls got its earliest measurable snowfall; 0.3 of an inch on September 25.

The earliest significant snowfall in the city was on October 1, 1999. I guess mother nature saw the calendar change to October and just couldn't wait to get the last winter of the millennium started.

(I know, I know, there was no year zero so the millennium actually ended in the year 2000. But, is the internet really the proper place to argue about small details that don't matter? Oh, wait, never mind).

The earliest heavy snowfall in Sioux Falls was the Halloween blizzard of 1991. That year Sioux Falls tried to trick or treat in over 15 inches of snow.

Flashback: The Halloween Blizzard of 1991

15 Free Things to Do with Kids in Sioux Falls

"What are we gonna do with these kids?" A question every parent askes, especially in the summer. And it's always better if what you do with the kids is free.

Sioux Falls is a small city full of big fun for all ages, and a lot of it is free. We have world-class parks, museums, live music and so much more. Here's a handy list of 15 free things for you and the kids to do in Sioux Falls.

NEED TO KNOW: Sioux Falls Outdoor Public Pools And Spray Park

Summer in Sioux Falls is beautiful. But sometimes you need to cool off. Sioux Falls has some great outdoor public pools and a fun spray park in addition to the indoor Midco Aquatic Center.

Sioux Falls' outdoor public pools open for summer at the beginning of June (if the weather cooperates).

Sioux Falls public pools are open from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM and from 6:30 PM to 9:00 PM.

Prices are $5 for ages 2 to 17, $6 for adults, seniors 55+ are $5, and children under 2 are free. The Spray Park and the wading pools at Frank Olson, Kuehn, and McKennan are free.

You can also get a Sioux Falls swim pass and swim all summer. You can buy a swim pass at the Midco Aquatic Center or at most of the outdoor pools all summer. For more about the Sioux Falls swim pass click here.

Source: Sioux Falls Snowfall Extremes: The Latest and Earliest Snows in History

Filed Under: National Weather Service, Sioux Falls, Weather

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