Bitter cold, 5 to 8 inches of snow to hit the area
2:30 p.m. Wednesday UpdateSIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Bitterly cold wind chills and 5 to 8 inches of snow are expected to fall in the southwest Minnesota-northwest Iowa region today, and the winter storm warning for the area won't expire until 3 p.m. Thursday.
By: DAILY GLOBE, Worthington Daily Globe
- Volunteer
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2:30 p.m. Wednesday Update
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Bitterly cold wind chills and 5 to 8 inches of snow are expected to fall in the southwest Minnesota-northwest Iowa region today, and the winter storm warning for the area won't expire until 3 p.m. Thursday.
The blizzard watch is no longer in effect.
A vigorous low pressure system will move east across the area today and tonight, producing widespread snow. The highest snowfall amounts of 5 to 8 inches are expected over southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa from this low pressure system.
Strong northerly winds will develop as the low pressure system moves across the area, producing blowing and drifting snow. Winds will increase across southeast South Dakota today, and northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota tonight. The strongest winds will occur through the James and Missouri Valley areas, producing blizzard conditions. Strong winds will also create bitterly cold wind chills of 25 to 35 degrees below zero tonight and into Thursday.
Timing
Snow, heavy at times, will continue to fall across the area today and tonight. Then snow will slowly taper off Thursday. Strong winds will develop tonight and continue into Thursday, producing blowing and drifting snow and bitterly cold wind chills.
Wind and visibility
Northwest winds will increase to 20 to 35 miles per hour late today and continue into Thursday. Visibilities may be reduced to less than one quarter of a mile at times in open areas.
Wind chill values of 25 to 35 degrees below zero will develop this evening and continue into Thursday.
Precautions
A winter storm warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel difficult.
"Only travel in an emergency," the National Weather Service warned. If people must travel, they should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle in case of an emergency.
3:15 p.m. Tuesday Update
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A winter storm warning has been issued for 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wednesday, and a blizzard watch has been issued for Wednesday evening through Thursday afternoon for southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa.
A band of 2 to 5 inches of new snow is expected along and west of Interstate 29, with amounts closer to 5 to 7 inches over northwest Iowa and parts of southwest Minnesota.
Low pressure will develop over the western High Plains tonight, and then strengthen and spread southeast into eastern Nebraska by Wednesday night. Ahead of this low pressure system, a band of snow will develop over the central Dakotas early tonight, then spread into eastern South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa late tonight and early Wednesday morning.
By Wednesday night, snow will come to an end from west to east as colder and drier air filters south. However, with this colder and drier air will come a very strong northwest wind, which could bring widespread blowing and drifting snow as well as exceptionally cold wind chill values.
A potentially dangerous situation could develop Wednesday night and continue into Thursday.
The previously issued winter weather advisory is no longer in effect.
Timing
Snow is expected to develop Wednesday morning, becoming heavy at times during the afternoon and early evening. As the snow exits on Wednesday night, blizzard conditions may develop by late evening as a northwest wind becomes very strong.
Wind and visibility
Northwest winds will increase to 20 to 35 miles per hour by early Wednesday evening and continue through Wednesday night. Visibility will decrease to less than a mile, with areas of visibility of less than a quarter mile.
Wind chill values
Wind chills of 20 to 35 degrees below zero will develop by early Wednesday evening and continue into Thursday.
Precautions
A winter storm warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous.
Only travel in an emergency, the National Weather Service warned. If people must travel, they should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle in case of trouble.
A blizzard watch means there is a potential for falling or blowing snow with strong winds and extremely poor visibilities. This can lead to whiteout conditions and make travel very dangerous.
More snow on the way, to be accompanied by wind and cold
11:27 a.m. Tuesday
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather advisory for southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa, to begin at 6 a.m. Wednesday and end at noon Thursday.
Snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches are expected. Strong winds developing Wednesday will bring blowing and drifting snow, which will continue as falling snow begins to decrease Wednesday night. Dangerous wind chills are expected by Wednesday night.
A low pressure system will move east across the area tonight and Wednesday and will be followed by an Arctic high pressure system approaching from Canada. It will bring a combination of snow, blowing snow and dangerous wind chills into Thursday. The snow will develop late today and tonight in southeast South Dakota and late tonight or early Wednesday morning in southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa.
Timing
Snow should develop from the west late tonight, the National Weather Service stated. Accumulations are expected Wednesday through most of Wednesday night. Strong winds will develop Wednesday night and continue into Thursday, causing blowing snow and dangerous wind chills.
Wind and visibility
Northwest winds will increase to 20 to 35 miles per hour Wednesday evening and continue at least into Thursday morning. Visibility in snow and blowing snow will decrease to less than a mile, with areas where visibility is less than a quarter of a mile.
Wind chill is expected to drop to 20 to 35 degrees below zero Wednesday evening.
Recommended precautions
A winter weather advisory for snow and blowing snow means that visibilities will be limited due to a combination of falling and blowing snow. The National Weather Service recommends people use caution while traveling, especially in open areas.
To read more about how o take care of pets, livestock and wildlife in the punishing cold, click here.
Tags: winter weather, weather alerts, wind chill, weather advisory, national weather service, weather, news, snow
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