Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings Issued for West Central Minnesota and Northeast South Dakota

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen, SD, has issued a Winter Storm Warning and a Blizzard Warning for portions of west-central Minnesota and northeast South Dakota. The alert is classified as severe with a high certainty of occurrence.

Affected Areas

The following regions and counties are under these warnings:

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

Expected Conditions

Significant winter weather hazards are forecast for the region:

• Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations for the event are expected to be between 10 and 15 inches.
• Wind Speeds: During the Winter Storm Warning, winds are expected to gust as high as 40 mph. During the Blizzard Warning phase, gusts may reach up to 45 mph.
• Hazards: Heavy snow and widespread blowing snow will occur. Whiteout conditions are expected to make travel extremely dangerous or impossible. Additionally, gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Timeline

• Winter Storm Warning: Effective from 1:00 PM Saturday to 3:00 AM CDT Sunday.
• Blizzard Warning: Effective from 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT Sunday.
• Overall Alert Duration: The alert remains in effect until March 15 at 3:00 AM CDT.

What You Should Do

Residents are advised that travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If travel is absolutely necessary, you must carry a winter survival kit that includes a flashlight, food, and water. If your vehicle becomes stranded, stay with the vehicle for safety.

To check the latest road conditions:

• In Minnesota: Visit 511mn.org or call 511.
• In South Dakota: Call 511.