Winter Storm and Blizzard Warning Issued for Central South Dakota Counties

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen, SD, has issued a Winter Storm Warning followed by a Blizzard Warning. These alerts cover a significant weather event expected to impact the region starting Saturday evening and continuing through Sunday.

Affected Areas

The following counties in South Dakota are under these warnings:

• Hand County
• Hyde County
• Faulk County
• Clark County
• Spink County

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for hazardous winter weather conditions including:

• Snow Accumulation: Total event accumulations between 6 and 10 inches.
• Wind Speeds: Winds are expected to gust as high as 40 mph during the Winter Storm Warning and increase to 50 mph during the Blizzard Warning.
• Visibility: Widespread blowing snow and whiteout conditions are expected, which will make travel extremely dangerous or impossible.
• Other Hazards: Gusty winds may result in downed tree branches.

Timeline

The weather event is divided into two distinct phases:

• Winter Storm Warning: In effect from 7:00 PM Saturday to 1:00 AM CDT Sunday.
• Blizzard Warning: In effect from 1:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT Sunday.
• Expiration: The overall alert is set to expire at 1:00 AM CDT on Monday, March 15.

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, follow these safety protocols:

• Keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle.
• Carry a winter survival kit.
• If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle.
• Check the latest road conditions by calling 5 1 1.