Weather Story

Weekend Winter Storm

Saturday to Sunday Snowfall Forecast

Snowfall Timing

Blowing Snow Impacts

High Confidence for a strong storm system to impact the area this weekend. The Winter Storm Watch has been upgraded to a Winter Storm Warning. Portions of central SD and northeast SD into west central MN will upgrade to a Blizzard Warning after 1 AM CDT Sunday. Northeast winds of 35 to 50 mph Saturday night through Sunday afternoon will result in decreasing visibilities at times. Anticipate major impacts to travel both Saturday and Sunday.

The second, heavier, round of snow will move through Saturday night into Sunday afternoon. Highest accumulations of 10-18 inches are possible over eastern SD. These are in addition to what falls tonight into Saturday afternoon. This snow is expected to accumulate very quickly late Saturday night into Sunday morning. As winds increase, so will blowing/drifting snow impacts. Travel will be extremely difficult to near impossible late Saturday night into Sunday morning.

Here is a closer look at snowfall timing for this system (both rounds 1 and 2).

The worst conditions will be late Saturday night into Sunday morning with the most significant impacts east of the Missouri River. Travel will be extremely difficult to near impossible during this time. Large portions of of central and northeast SD and west central MN will frequently have visibilities reduced to potentially less than a quarter mile.