Sioux Falls, SD – Drivers across eastern South Dakota could face rapidly worsening travel conditions late tonight as a powerful winter storm develops, bringing moderate to heavy snow and wind gusts up to 60 mph by Sunday.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, snow will begin developing late tonight north of Interstate 90, with snowfall intensifying overnight into Sunday morning. The heaviest accumulations are expected across northeastern South Dakota and southwest Minnesota, where communities such as Watertown, Brookings, and Marshall could see 8 to 15 inches of snow, with isolated totals approaching 18 inches near the Minnesota border.
Farther south, including Sioux Falls, Yankton, Vermillion, and Sioux City, snowfall totals will be lighter, generally 1 to 3 inches. However, forecasters warn that strengthening north winds of 40 to 60 mph Sunday may produce blowing and drifting snow capable of reducing visibility below a quarter mile.
These winds could create near-blizzard or blizzard conditions even in areas with lower snowfall totals, particularly along exposed stretches of Interstate 29, Interstate 90, and Highway 81.
Travel could quickly become hazardous or impossible Sunday as drifting snow blocks roads and visibility drops.
Residents should avoid unnecessary travel, check road conditions before heading out, and prepare for rapidly changing weather conditions through Sunday evening. Additional winter weather alerts may be issued as the storm intensifies across the region.
