Aberdeen, South Dakota – Drivers across northeast South Dakota face near-zero visibility and rapidly deteriorating roads right now as 55 mph wind gusts whip loose snow into blinding ground blizzards through midafternoon Wednesday. Travel could become impossible in open areas, especially along rural highways and east-west roads.
According to the National Weather Service in Aberdeen, a Blizzard Warning remains in effect until 3 p.m. CST Wednesday for Brown, Spink, and Clark counties, including Aberdeen, Redfield, and Clark. Campbell, McPherson, Walworth, Edmunds, and Faulk counties are also under the warning. Additional snowfall of up to 2 inches is expected in Brown, Spink, and Clark counties, with up to 1 inch elsewhere, but the primary threat comes from powerful winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
Those winds are sweeping across open fields and lifting existing snow, creating whiteout conditions on highways such as U.S. Highway 12 and U.S. Highway 281. The Wednesday morning commute has already been impacted, and conditions may not improve until late afternoon. Strong gusts could also down small tree limbs and cause isolated power disruptions.
Officials urge residents to restrict travel to emergencies only. If you must head out, carry a winter survival kit, keep your phone charged, and call 511 for the latest South Dakota road conditions. Warnings remain in effect until 3 p.m., and additional advisories could follow if winds persist into the evening.
