SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Before you know it, 2024 will be over and the new year of 2025 will begin. As we anticipate what the weather will bring, the topic of drought is one we can’t ignore.
Every year brings with it it’s own unique set of weather conditions here in KELOLAND. 2025 will be no exception, but this year brings with it some extra attention.
A number of years ago, I learned about the topic of what’s called the Gleissberg Cycle. This so called 89 year cycle stems from collected tree ring data dating back hundreds of years combined with known peak periods of solar activity on the sun. Big, midwest wide droughts have occurred in this cycle, about 89 years apart.
The years of 1847 and 1936 were the last peaks on this drought year cycle. Do the math, the next peak is 2025, give or take a year or two.
Does that mean were are destined for drought next summer? Not exactly. The story of drought is nothing new the past few years. We’ve been covering intense areas of drought in our region since the big wet cycle in 2018 and 2019.
We don’t fully understand the causes of these cycles, but we can identify other factors contributing to drought risk.
La nina conditions in the Pacific Ocean are forecast to strengthen this winter. That’s a drought risk factor for our region. And with ongoing drought not going away anytime soon, keep an eye on this story in the weeks and months to come.
One thing is for sure, the weather is most likely going to take more interesting twists and turns in 2025. And that’s what we expect in KELOLAND. For KELOLAND Weather, I’m meteorologist Brian Karstens.
