Bitter Cold Temps Having Many South Dakotans Asking for a Jump

Need to jump, or a tow, or roadside service of any kind for your vehicle? That has a tendency to happen in a big way when you run up against weather conditions like we have been facing the past couple of days here in South Dakota and throughout the central part of the nation.

Needless to say, things have been hopping for the folks at AAA since this dangerous winter weather event started bringing blizzard conditions and deadly cold wind chills to South Dakota and surrounding states.

Thanks to the arctic blast, brought on by this winter bomb cyclone, AAA responded to 275 roadside service calls on Thursday (December 22) alone.

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Dakota News Now is reporting that 45 percent of the calls were for dead batteries, and 35 percent were for tows. Lockouts, flat tires, and vehicle extractions made up the great majority of the other calls made to AAA over the past 24 hours.

Blizzard Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories remain in effect through Christmas Eve morning for much of the area as we continue to deal with blizzard conditions and deadly wind chills from -35 to -50 below due to the winter bomb cyclone making travel conditions impossible throughout.

For those reasons, travel is not recommended. However, if you must travel, it is absolutely imperative that you keep a winter safety kit in your vehicle. And remember to stay with your vehicle until you can be safely rescued.

Source: Dakota News Now

The Coldest Temperatures in Sioux Falls History

When a polar vortex rolls through Sioux Falls, it can get even the heartiest dreaming of indoor fires, baking, and hot chocolate.

Mr. Bendo is tough enough but for the love of Pete, someone put a scarf on the Statue of David!

All this icy chatter had us wondering about the coldest days ever recorded in Sioux Falls. Here is the historical data from the National Weather Service with the coldest temps ever recorded in Sioux Falls since record-keeping began in 1893.

A Survival Guide For Your First Winter in South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and the rest of the Sioux Empire (AKA southeastern South Dakota) are welcoming thousands of new residents every year.

Many of you new folks will be experiencing your first eastern South Dakota winter. While it doesn't usually get as bad as our Dakota friends up north, I speak from experience when I say it can get a little rough.

MORE: What Every South Dakotan Should Be Doing to Prepare for Winter

So, to help ease you into winter in Sioux Falls and South Dakota here are some winter survival tips: