Sioux Falls, South Dakota – Travel across large portions of South Dakota, southern Minnesota, and northern Iowa is becoming extremely dangerous as blizzard conditions intensify Wednesday afternoon, creating whiteouts and near-zero visibility in open areas.
According to the National Weather Service offices in Sioux Falls, Twin Cities, Des Moines, and La Crosse, Blizzard Warnings are in effect through this evening for much of eastern South Dakota, southwest and south-central Minnesota, and northern Iowa. While snowfall amounts are generally limited to 1 to 3 inches, powerful northwest wind gusts between 45 and 60 mph are blowing both falling snow and existing snow on the ground, rapidly reducing visibility to less than a quarter mile at times.
The hardest-hit areas include Brookings, Huron, and Madison in South Dakota; Mankato, Albert Lea, Worthington, and Marshall in Minnesota; and Mason City, Waterloo, Charles City, and Clear Lake in Iowa. Major routes such as I-29, I-90, I-35, and U.S. 18 are experiencing sudden visibility drops, especially in rural and open stretches where drifting snow is severe.
Officials urge drivers to restrict travel to emergencies only. Vehicles that become stranded can quickly turn into life-threatening situations as winds intensify and temperatures fall. Emergency kits, charged phones, and winter survival gear are strongly advised.
Blizzard conditions are expected to gradually ease later this evening as winds diminish, but road conditions may remain hazardous overnight. Additional travel advisories may remain in place even after warnings expire.
