Blizzard Warning Issued for McPherson, Brown, and Edmunds Counties in South Dakota

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen, SD, has issued a Blizzard Warning for several counties in South Dakota. This follows a preceding Winter Storm Warning, as conditions are expected to deteriorate significantly over the weekend. The alert is classified as an extreme severity event with likely certainty.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following geographic regions in South Dakota:

• Edmunds County
• McPherson County
• Brown County

What You Should Do

Residents are advised that travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit in your vehicle. In the event that you become stranded, stay with your vehicle to remain safe and visible to rescuers. For the latest road conditions, residents can call 5-1-1. Additionally, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle for emergency situations.

Expected Conditions

Weather conditions will transition from a winter storm to a full blizzard.

• Snowfall: Total snow accumulations for the entire event are expected to be between 5 and 10 inches.
• Wind: During the Winter Storm Warning phase, winds will gust as high as 40 mph. During the Blizzard Warning phase, gusts are expected to reach 45 mph.
• Visibility: Widespread blowing snow and whiteout conditions are expected, which will make travel extremely dangerous or impossible.
• Other Hazards: High winds may be strong enough to bring down tree branches.

Timeline

The weather event is divided into two distinct phases:

• Winter Storm Warning: In effect from 1:00 PM Saturday to 1:00 AM CDT Sunday.
• Blizzard Warning: In effect from 1:00 AM Sunday to 7:00 PM CDT Sunday, March 15.