National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

2012 was a dry and warm year across central and northeast South Dakota as well as west central Minnesota. Due to the dry and warm conditions many record highs were broken along with expanding and worsening drought conditions. Average temperatures for the year were from 3 to 4 degrees above normal.  The average highs were from 4 to 6 degrees above normal for the year.  Pierre and Kennebec both topped at 111 degrees on August 29^th while Mobridge and Timber Lake hit 106 degrees also on August 29^th. None of the locations in the east hit 100 degrees with Sisseton coming close at 99 degrees on July 2^nd. In fact, Aberdeen had its second warmest year on record with Watertown and Sisseton having their third warmest year on record. Mobridge had their fourth warmest year on record while Pierre had its sixth warmest year on record. Bitter cold temperatures also did not occur with yearly lows only falling in the teens below zero.   

The other story outside of the warmth was the extreme dryness resulting in expanding and worsening of drought conditions across the region. Yearly precipitation amounts were from nearly 4 inches to almost 8 and a half inches below normal. Aberdeen had its tenth lowest yearly precipitation while Sisseton recorded its 17th lowest yearly precipitation. At the end of 2012, almost the entire area was covered with severe to exceptional drought conditions.