November 2013 was a very dry month across central and north central South Dakota along with west central Minnesota with average temperatures near to two degrees below normal.  Precipitation ranged from a trace at Watertown to around a quarter of an inch at Pierre.  Sisseton had one of their top ten driest Novembers on record with Watertown having one of their top five driest Novembers.  December is starting off with some snowfall across the region along with bitter cold Arctic air and strong north winds.  

• Groton received five inches of snow on the ground as a major snow storm hit the area yesterday. Groton Area Schools had a two-hour late start, but midway through the routes, school was cancelled and the busses were turned around. Weather conditions deteriorated throughout the day as the wind picked up, blowing the snow around. The wind-chill dipped to 12 below last night and is expected to get colder as the week goes on.
• Groton Area will be starting two hours late today with no pre-school. The elementary concert will go on as scheduled at 2 p.m. with the students being dismissed after the concert.