SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — February is known for being a month of extreme weather and this year was no exception. We came out of January with well above average temperatures, Sioux Falls saw highs in the upper 40s while areas to the west got in the 60s. It was a nice relief from the typical winter weather, but it didn’t last for long as Mother Nature had to remind us just how cold it can get in KELOLAND.

DOGE announces first real estate closure in South Dakota

By mid-February, an arctic blast moved into the region, bringing brutally cold temperatures with wind chill values ranging from minus 20 to 40 degrees. Sioux Falls remained below zero for over 60 hours, making it the fifth longest sub-zero stretch on record. During this cold snap, a 122-year-old record was broken in Sioux Falls when temperatures plummeted to 22 degrees below zero on February 18th. Sioux Falls was not the only area achieving new records as Rapid City reached a record low of 19 degrees below zero on February 20th.

Following the intense cold, a big warming trend returned for the end of the month. Temperatures rebounded quickly as it was an almost 80 degree difference from last Tuesday’s record breaking low to Sunday in Sioux Falls. More records were set, but this time for warmth as Aberdeen shattered a 120-year-old record on Sunday, reaching 64 degrees. Huron followed on Monday as they tied their record high of 63. These mild temperatures melted the little amount of snow that we had, with all areas of KELOLAND staying below average for snowfall during the month.

As February closed out meteorological winter with both record cold and record warmth, we look ahead to the brighter and warmer days that spring has to offer.