South Dakota spring blizzard marked by power outages, road closures

As heavy snow blanketed most of South Dakota on Thursday, travel difficulties and downed power lines due to thick ice were some of the most prominent issues facing the state.

Power outages affected more than 12,000

"We have seen power outages around the area," said National Weather Service meteorologist Lance Vandenboogart. "A lot of power lines are shaking in the wind, causing outages."

On Thursday morning, more than 12,000 homes and businesses in southeastern South Dakota were without power. Sioux Valley Energy spokeswoman Carrie Vugteveen said an extra 20 workers were brought in to help repair power lines damaged in the storm. Although some of those of power lines were fixed by Thursday afternoon, it is unknown when power will be fully restored.

Snow totals:Here's how much snow has fallen in the state

Many local schools cancelled classes Thursday, including the Sioux Falls School District. Several businesses, including the Great Plains Zoo also closed early. 

Most areas west and north of Sioux Falls were still under a blizzard warning until 7 a.m. Friday, while Sioux Falls and Yankton remained in a winter storm warning.

Here's how much snow fell so far

As of 2 p.m. Thursday, Sioux Falls had only received 2.4 inches of snow. The highest amount of snowfall measured so far is an estimated 25 inches, seen in Norbeck in Faulk County in north-central South Dakota at noon Thursday. Other areas with heavy snowfall, as of 2 p.m., include one mile south of Belle Fourche at 18 inches, Watertown at 17.5 inches and Huron at 15 inches.

Vandenboogart said only one to three more inches of snow is possible for Sioux Falls by Friday afternoon, but the area is not out of the woods yet.

"Travel conditions are still going to be poor until (Friday) morning," Vandenboogart said.

List: Sioux Falls area closures due to winter storm

Dangerous travel conditions, road closures

Interstate 29 is still closed from Sioux Falls to the North Dakota border, while Interstate 90 remains shuttered from Sioux Falls to New Underwood. South Dakota Department of Transportation spokeswoman Kristi Sandal said crews were waiting for the snow and strong winds to die down before reopening the freeways.

"Once the weather improves, crews will work as quickly as possible to get roads in such condition they are safe for travel," Sandal said.

Drivers were advised to avoid many highways around Sioux Falls due to icy conditions, including Highway 44 west of Parker and Highway 38 west of Humboldt. In Sioux Falls itself, police Lt. David McIntire said the city had had relatively few crashes despite the slippery roads.

The travel troubles were not limited to the ground. Multiple flights arriving to and departing from the Sioux Falls Regional Airport were cancelled Thursday morning due to the combination of snow and ice, the airport said.

More:Why is the snow brown? The NWS has a theory

Sioux Falls weekend forecast 

Friday promises to be a much milder day, with high temperatures hovering above freezing and 30 mph wind gusts, Vandenboogart said.

Over the weekend, temperatures will slowly begin to rise from a high of 39 degrees on Saturday to a high of 51 degrees.

"(We'll have) a slow warm-up through early next week," Vandenboogart said.