A Blizzard Warning is in force this tonight for parts of eastern South Dakota and western Minnesota, with forecasters warning of whiteout conditions, 50 mph wind gusts, and up to 7 inches of snowfall.
The National Weather Service in Aberdeen issued the warning for Brown, Day, Marshall, Roberts, and Grant counties in South Dakota, as well as Big Stone and Traverse counties in Minnesota, which include Aberdeen, Webster, Sisseton, Milbank, and Ortonville.
The storm will last until late Tuesday night, creating blowing and drifting snow that will make driving extremely difficult to impossible, particularly on Highways 12, 81, and I-29. Forecasters warn that visibility might fall to a quarter mile, particularly in open spaces and rural areas.
Snow accumulations are forecast to vary between 2 and 7 inches, with heavier bands in northeastern South Dakota. The powerful winds may also knock down tree limbs and electricity wires, causing sporadic outages around the region.
Drivers are advised to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, as road crews report worsening conditions until Tuesday evening. Those who must travel should have winter survival packs with blankets, flashlights, food, and water in case of an emergency
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