Blizzard Warning Issued for West-Central Minnesota and Northeastern South Dakota; 10-15 Inches of Snow Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen, SD, has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of west-central Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota. This alert follows a Winter Storm Warning that will be in effect prior to the onset of blizzard conditions. The alert is classified with a severity of ‘Extreme’ and a certainty of ‘Likely’.

Affected Areas

The following counties are included in the warning area:

• Minnesota: Big Stone and Traverse Counties.
• South Dakota: Day, Marshall, and Roberts Counties.

Expected Conditions

Significant winter weather hazards are expected throughout the duration of this event:

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations between 10 and 15 inches.
• Wind Speeds: During the Winter Storm Warning, winds will gust as high as 40 mph. During the Blizzard Warning, gusts are expected to reach up to 45 mph.
• Visibility: Widespread blowing snow will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous or impossible.
• Additional Hazards: Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Timeline

• Winter Storm Warning: In effect from 1:00 PM Saturday to 3:00 AM CDT Sunday.
• Blizzard Warning: In effect from 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT Sunday.

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle as part of a winter survival kit. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle.

For the latest road conditions, residents can use the following resources:

• Minnesota: Visit 511mn.org or call 5-1-1.
• South Dakota: Call 5-1-1.