Update: Blizzard warning, wind chill advisories in effect

• Weather

File Photo: Ten inches of snow fell in the southwestern Minnesota region Dec. 11, 2010, accompanied by heavy winds. (Brian Korthals/Daily Globe)

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10:30 a.m. Saturday

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - Pipestone County's weather status has changed to a blizzard warning, set to expire today at 6 p.m.

Click here to read more about the blizzard warning.

Other area counties are also under wind chill advisories.

Click here to read the most up-to-date weather advisories from our area.

4:25 p.m. Thursday

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The winter storm watch has been upgraded to a winter weather advisory for Nobles, Jackson, and Cottonwood counties in Minnesota and Osceola, Dickinson, and O'Brien counties in Iowa; and the winter storm watch has been upgraded to a winter weather warning in Murray, Pipestone and Rock counties in Minnesota and Lyon County, Iowa.

Murray, Pipestone and Rock counties in Minnesota and Lyon County, Iowa: A winter storm warning will be in effect from 6 a.m. Friday to noon Saturday.

A winter storm warning for heavy snow and blowing snow has been issued. Snow will become widespread across the area Friday morning and persist into Friday evening, likely accumulating to 4 to 6 inches.

Northwest winds of 15 to 25 miles per hour are expected Friday into Friday evening, increasing to 20 to 35 miles per hour later Friday night into Saturday. These gusty winds combined with the snow will create blowing snow which may reduce visibility to near zero.

Wind chill values of 10 below to 20 below zero will be possible on Friday, falling to 20 to 30 below zero Friday night into Saturday morning.

A winter storm warning for heavy snow means severe winter weather conditions are expected or occurring. Significant amounts of snow and blowing snow are forecast that will make travel dangerous. Only travel in an emergency, the National Weather Service warned, and if travel is necessary, drivers should keep an extra flashlight, food and water in the vehicle in case of an emergency.

Nobles, Jackson, and Cottonwood counties in Minnesota and Osceola, Dickinson, and O'Brien counties in Iowa: A winter weather advisory will be in effect from 6 a.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Saturday.

Snow and sleet will become widespread across the area Friday morning and persist into Friday afternoon, with mainly snow expected into Friday evening before the precipitation tapers off.

Sleet and snow accumulations will range from around an inch near U.S. 71, where sleet persists most of the day, to 3 to 4 inches farther west, where the precipitation will change to snow earlier in the afternoon.

Northwest winds will increase to 15 to 30 miles per hour Friday and persist into Saturday. These gusty winds, combined with the snow, will create blowing snow in those areas which receive greater snowfall accumulations.

Wind chill values of zero to 15 below zero will be possible on Friday, falling to 15 below to 25 below zero Friday night into Saturday morning.

A winter weather advisory means that periods of snow and sleet will cause travel difficulties. Drivers should be prepared for slippery roads and limited visibilities, and use caution while driving.

7 p.m. Wednesday: Winter weather watch issued

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. - The National Weather Service has issued a winter weather watch for Jackson, Cottonwood, Nobles, Rock, Murray and Pipestone counties in Minnesota and Lyon, Osceola, O'Brien and Dickinson counties in Iowa, set to begin late Thursday night and last through Saturday morning.

Two areas of low pressure will affect the region over the next couple of days, the National Weather Service stated. The first will come tonight into Thursday morning, bringing an area of mainly rain, drizzle and fog. Temperatures will be close to freezing around the Brookings and Marshall areas, so brief light freezing rain will be possible there.

Otherwise, a much larger low pressure area will work into the Central Plains late Thursday night into Friday, bringing mainly snow to the area. Some mixed precipitation will be possible over northwest Iowa and southwest Minnesota early Friday, but mainly snow is expected by afternoon.

A band of heavy snow should develop in central and eastern parts of South Dakota Friday morning, with strong winds accompanying the snow, creating widespread blowing and drifting snow. If travel is planned anywhere across South Dakota Thursday night into Saturday morning, caution is advised.

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.

Timing

Snow will develop in central South Dakota late Thursday night and move into southwest Minnesota on Friday morning. The heaviest snow across the area will be from late Friday morning into Friday evening.

Accumulation

An area of 4 to 7 inches of snow will be possible northwest of the Minnesota 60 corridor in southwest Minnesota.

Wind and Visibility

North to northwest winds of 20 to 35 miles per hour will be possible during and after the heaviest snowfall.

Wind Chill Values

Wind chill values of 10 below to 20 below zero will be possible on Friday, falling to 20 below to 30 below zero Friday night into Saturday.

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