A powerful winter/spring storm will impact much of the region over the next couple of days. Scattered thunderstorms are moving across parts of the tri-state region early this morning. That will quickly change later this morning as cold air rolls in and rain changes to snow.

A Blizzard Warning is in effect for much of central and southern South Dakota, a Winter Storm Warning is in effect for much of eastern and northeastern South Dakota and much of Minnesota and a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the Sioux Falls area today, tonight and tomorrow.

The most treacherous conditions will occur across central and southern South Dakota where 6 to 10 inches of snow will be accompanied by 50 to 60 mph wind gusts that will create white-out blizzard conditions. Because the system will impact each part of our region differently, I’m going to break the forecast down by region:

Sioux Falls:
A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 9 AM today through 6 PM Tuesday

Areas of rain and freezing rain this morning will quickly mix with and then change to snow. Snow will continue today, tonight into tomorrow, ending tomorrow afternoon.

Total snow accumulation 3 to 6 inches. Heavier amounts west.

Wind gusts to between 25 and 35 mph will create blowing snow that will reduce visibility.

Aberdeen and Watertown:

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect until 6 PM Tuesday

Rain will mix with snow this morning, changing to all snow by noon. Heavy snow is likely through this afternoon and tonight with snow ending by around noon tomorrow.

Total snow accumulation of 6 to 10 inches with some places getting up to 12 inches.

Wind gusts to between 20 and 30 mph will create blowing snow.

Pierre:

A Blizzard Warning is in effect through 6 PM Tuesday

Snow is likely today and tonight. 6 to 10 inches of accumulation is possible through tomorrow morning with localized areas of 12 inches or more. Snow will be heavy at times with extreme wind gusts to between 40 and 60 mph. White out blizzard conditions are likely today, tonight and tomorrow. Snow will end and the wind will gradually decrease tomorrow afternoon. The strongest wind gusts of 50+ mph are likely this afternoon and this evening however, wind gusts to between 40 and 50 mph will continue through tonight and into tomorrow morning. Wind will decrease to between 15 and 25 mph tomorrow afternoon.