UPDATE: Do not travel in the approaching blizzard, National Weather Service warns

• Blizzard Warning

FILE PHOTO: A snowstorm with poor visibility hit southwest Minnesota hard. (Beth Rickers/Daily Globe)

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1:30 p.m. Friday

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A blizzard warning has been issued for Pipestone, Rock, Murray, Nobles, Cottonwood and Jackson counties in Minnesota and Osceola, Dickinson, O'Brien and Lyon counties in Iowa, from midnight tonight until 9 p.m. Saturday.

A freezing rain advisory will be in effect from 4 p.m. tonight until midnight for these counties.

Low pressure will develop along the South Dakota and Nebraska border this afternoon, moving into southern Minnesota by Saturday morning. Light freezing rain is expected to develop over southwestern Minnesota by late this afternoon and continue into this evening. Then snow will develop over eastern South Dakota around midnight and spread into northeast Nebraska, southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa toward dawn on Saturday.

The highest snowfall amounts will again be across southwest Minnesota, but amounts of 2 to 4 inches will also be possible east of the James River valley in South Dakota and into northwest Iowa. As the low pressure shifts east very strong north winds will develop, dragging much colder air south and creating widespread blowing snow with blizzard conditions over portions of east central South Dakota, southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa.

The strong winds and arctic air will combine to produce wind chills from 10 below to 25 below zero much of Saturday.

Timing: Freezing rain is expected to develop late this afternoon and continue into this evening. Freezing rain will change to snow around midnight, with snow heavy at times from late tonight into Saturday morning. Snow is expected to end during the afternoon, but strong northwest winds will produce blizzard conditions with near-zero visibilities by late tonight and continue into Saturday evening.

Accumulations: Ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an inch can be expected this evening. Snowfall totals later tonight and Saturday will range from 4 inches around Luverne to 8 inches around Marshall and Windom.

Wind and Visibility: North winds will increase to 25 to 40 miles per hour with gusts to 50 miles per hour late tonight. The strong winds will continue into Saturday evening. Widespread blowing and drifting snow will result in visibilities near zero at times, especially in open areas.

Wind Chill: Wind chill values of 15 below to 25 below zero will be possible Saturday.

Precautions: A blizzard warning means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Falling and blowing snow with strong winds and poor visibilities are likely. This will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous. Do not travel. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit. If you get stranded, stay with the vehicle.

A freezing rain advisory means that periods of freezing rain or freezing drizzle will cause travel difficulties. Be prepared for slippery roads. Slow down and use caution while driving.

11:40 a.m. Friday: Blizzard watch, winter weather advisories issued

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - A blizzard watch has been issued for Nobles, Murray, Jackson, Cottonwood, Pipestone and Rock counties in Minnesota and Osceola, Dickinson and O'Brien counties in Iowa, beginning late tonight and lasting through Saturday afternoon. A winter weather advisory has been issued for Lyon County in Iowa for midnight tonight until 6 p.m. Saturday.

Nobles, Murray, Jackson, Cottonwood, Pipestone and Rock counties in Minnesota and Osceola, Dickinson and O'Brien counties in Iowa: A brief period of snow and freezing rain will be possible this evening, but precipitation will quickly become all snow late this evening. North winds will increase quickly after midnight, which will bring the potential for widespread blowing and drifting snow with near-zero visibilities possible.

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches will be possible.

North winds will increase to 25 to 40 miles per hour late tonight into Saturday, which will create widespread blowing and drifting snow, with visibilities possibly near zero at times. Wind chill values of 20 to 35 degrees below zero will be possible Saturday night into Sunday.

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.

Lyon County, Iowa: A brief period of rain or freezing rain will be possible this evening, but any precipitation should quickly change to snow after about 11 p.m. Snow and blowing snow will then develop Saturday morning, continuing into the afternoon.

Snowfall totals of 2 to 4 inches will be possible.

North to northwest winds will increase to 20 to 35 miles per hour late tonight into Saturday, creating widespread blowing snow with visibilities of half a mile or less at times. Wind chill values of 20 to 25 degrees below zero will develop Saturday night and continue through Sunday.

A winter weather advisory for snow and blowing snow means that visibility will be limited due to a combination of falling and blowing snow. Travelers are urged to be cautious, especially in open areas.

4 p.m. Thursday: Winter storm watch issued

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The National Weather Service has issued a winter storm watch beginning late Friday night through Saturday evening for Murray, Cottonwood and Jackson counties in Minnesota and Dickinson County in Iowa.

Snow will develop Friday night and continue into Saturday, with blowing snow becoming widespread on Saturday.

Snowfall accumulation of 5 to 7 inches is possible.

North to northwest winds of 25 to 35 miles per hour will create widespread blowing snow on Saturday, with visibility near zero at times.

Wind chill values will drop to 15 degrees below zero to 25 degrees below zero by late Saturday afternoon and evening.

A winter storm watch means there is a potential for significant snow, sleet or ice accumulations that may impact travel. The National Weather Service advises people to continue monitoring the latest forecasts.

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