South Dakota – Strong winds and intermittent snow bands are creating hazardous travel conditions across eastern South Dakota Friday, with multiple weather alerts remaining in effect through 6 p.m.
According to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, a High Wind Warning and Winter Weather Advisory cover much of the region. Wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph are expected, with the strongest winds occurring west of the James River. Briefly stronger gusts may accompany passing snow showers.
Narrow bands of snow developed early Friday morning and are forecast to continue through the day. While widespread heavy snowfall is not expected, locations caught under these bands may experience rapid drops in visibility, including brief periods of near-zero visibility. Snowfall totals are generally expected to remain under 1 inch, though localized amounts up to 2 inches are possible if bands persist over one area.
The combination of strong northwest winds and snow showers is expected to make driving difficult, especially for high-profile vehicles. Visibility may change quickly over short distances, particularly during the morning and evening commute hours.
Winds are forecast to gradually weaken this evening, but breezy conditions will persist overnight. As skies partially clear, temperatures will continue to fall, with wind chills dropping to between -15°F and -25°F overnight into Saturday morning.
Residents are advised to secure loose outdoor objects, use caution while driving, and continue monitoring local forecasts for updates as conditions evolve.
For commuters, even short trips may be affected by sudden whiteout conditions and strong crosswinds during peak travel times.
