Sioux Falls, South Dakota – A developing mix of ice, snow, and gusty winds is expected to create slippery roads across parts of South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, and northwest Iowa beginning Friday evening and continuing into Saturday morning.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, a Winter Weather Advisory begins as early as 9 a.m. Friday in central South Dakota and expands east through the day, remaining in effect for much of the region through early Saturday morning.
Communities including Sioux Falls, Yankton, Mitchell, Brookings, Vermillion, Worthington, Spencer, and Spirit Lake could see a combination of snow, sleet, and freezing precipitation. Snow totals may reach 1 to 3 inches in central South Dakota, while areas farther east could see up to 2 inches of snow and sleet with ice accumulations between 0.10 and 0.20 inches.
Winds may gust up to 35 mph, especially across open prairie areas. Those winds could cause patchy blowing and drifting snow, occasionally reducing visibility on rural highways and exposed stretches of road.
The most widespread travel issues are expected during the Friday evening commute and overnight hours, when freezing precipitation and wind combine to create slick road surfaces.
Drivers are urged to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and check state 511 road conditions in South Dakota, Minnesota, or Iowa before traveling.
The mixed precipitation should taper early Saturday morning, though drifting snow and lingering icy patches may continue to affect roads beyond the advisory period.
