SIOUX FALLS — Like the rest of state, southwest Minnesota is being forced to swallow an early taste of winter so far this fall.

According to Samantha Garrett with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, temperatures in the region have been averaging more than 10 degrees below average for this time of year.

“We have been in a fairly cooler than average pattern, especially when it comes to high temperatures,” Garrett said Monday. She also said that trend is expected to continue for the next couple weeks.

Today’s high is expected to hit 35 degrees with increasing clouds throughout the day — 13 degrees below average. While the region has been able to escape snow flurries for the most part so far this fall, Garrett says there is a 40 percent chance of snow flurries today.

“There is a chance of snow building in late-morning to mid-afternoon. More mid-afternoon. Better chance in the afternoon and evening hours,” Garrett said.

The forecast according to the National Weather Service is not much better for Wednesday. The high is expected at 32 degrees, with a low of 28. And Thursday’s high is expected to be only 29 with a low of 17.