The whole region observed much above average temperatures on a whole this November, of generally between 6 to 9 degrees. A plethora of record-setting warm days early on, in particular, resulted in the 5^th warmest first week of November on record in Aberdeen, 4^th at Watertown, Mobridge and Sisseton, and 3^rd at Pierre. See the graphic further down the page for a listing of records through the first week of November at our Automated Surface Observation Station (ASOS) sites, including a couple monthly records. Additional warm temperature records set throughout the month not in that graphic include a tied monthly record of 81 F in Wheaton on the 5^th (Nov 1^st in 1950), a daily record of 60 F at ABR on 28^th (59 in 1949), 59 F at 8D3 on the 28^th (55 in 1949), a record warm low of 36 F at PIR on 18^th (36 in 2019), record warm low of 44 F at ATY on the 8^th (43 in 2006), and a record warm low of 35 F at MBG on 18^th (34 in 1976). On a whole, the month finished as the 10^th warmest on record in Mobridge, 8^th warmest November on record in Kennebec, and tied 4^th at Wheaton.

With just a trace or less of moisture/snowfall, November 2020 will go down as one of the driest on record for several locations across Central South Dakota. Specifically, just a trace of moisture fell over the 30 day period at Timber Lake and Mobridge, and just a trace of snow was observed at Wheaton and Mobridge. Timber Lake tied their least snowy November on record with zero snow. This, on the heels of a record-setting snowy October. As a result of the dry pattern, D1/Moderate Drought expanded to include much of the southern half of South Dakota by the end of the month, while remaining largely unchanged across portions of northeastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota. Far northeastern/eastern South Dakota and west central Minnesota did observe a more typical November in terms of precipitation, though snowfall was still below normal. Those in and around Deuel County picked up the most snow, as a couple systems with multiple inches of snow clipped that area. A daily snowfall record of 2.4” was set at Aberdeen on the 9^th (2.0 in 1982) as well.

Average temperature departures in November, courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Daily high temperature departures throughout November at Aberdeen, Watertown and Pierre (in that order from top left to bottom left) to depict when the warmest of the weather occurred.

Records set during the first week of November at our 5 Automated Surface Observing Station locations (Aberdeen, Watertown, Pierre, Mobridge and Sisseton).

Observed precipitation (left) and departures from normal (right) in November, courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center

Observed snowfall (left) and departures from normal (right) in November, courtesy of the Midwestern Regional Climate Center

US Drought Monitor highlighting areas of abnormal dryness and drought across South Dakota and Minnesota on November 3rd (top) and December 1st (bottom).