Sioux Falls, SD – As Arctic air grips the Northern Plains and snow bands push east overnight, officials are warning South Dakota drivers in Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen to slow down on bridges and overpasses freezing faster than other roadways.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), bridges freeze first because they are surrounded by cold air above and below, allowing heat to escape more quickly. That exposure makes bridges the first surfaces to ice over — often while nearby roads remain just wet. “It’s one of the first places we see crashes when temperatures fall,” the NWS said Friday.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) has begun pre-treating key corridors, including I-90, I-29, and US-281, with salt and brine solutions to help prevent black ice formation. Officials urge motorists to reduce speed before bridges, avoid sudden braking or lane changes, and maintain extra distance from other vehicles. Even a thin layer of frost or snow can cause vehicles to lose traction unexpectedly.
Drivers can monitor live road and weather conditions at sd511.org or follow @SouthDakotaDOT for up-to-date travel alerts and safety information.
