Winter storm moves across South Dakota, hitting Sioux Falls overnight
Trevor J. Mitchell
A winter storm has made its way into South Dakota.
Heavy snow is already falling across the western part of the state, and the storm is expected to bring snow to Sioux Falls overnight.
While snow on the eastern side of the state is expected to be light, strong winds, low temperatures and the possibility of icing mean the storm should still be taken seriously.
Temperatures in Sioux Falls are expected to fall below 40 degrees by 5 p.m., with rain throughout the day. Starting overnight, the rain will mix with snow showers, which will continue throughout Friday.
No significant accumulation of snow is expected, but high winds mean that blowing snow could still negatively affect visibility.
A chance of snow will continue throughout Saturday morning, ending at about 2 p.m. Temperatures will then rise as we enter next week, with a high of 50 forecast for Monday.
Timeline of precipitation
Current snowfall totals
As of 5 p.m. Thursday
Rapid City: 3-8 inches, varying throughout the city
6 NW Spearfish: 4.9 inches
3 NE Whitewood: 9 inches
1 SW Belle Fourche: 6 inches
Lead: 8.5 inches
Hill City: 6.6 inches
Projected South Dakota snow totals (by Saturday)
Vermillion: 0-1 inches
Brookings: Trace amounts-3 inches
Mitchell: Trace amounts-3 inches
Sioux Falls: Trace amounts-2 inches
Huron: 1-5 inches
Watertown: 1-5 inches
Miller: 3-8 inches
Pierre: 5-11 inches
Wall: 7-13 inches
Rapid City: 6-11 inches
Buffalo: 5-12 inches
Spearfish: 8-19 inches
Mobridge: 9-17 inches
Current warnings and watches
As of 10 a.m. Thursday
NWS Forecast for Sioux Falls
Today: Showers, with thunderstorms also possible after 11am. Temperature falling to around 39 by 5pm. Breezy, with a north northwest wind 10 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Tonight: Rain likely, possibly mixed with snow showers before 5am, then a chance of drizzle, snow showers, and freezing drizzle. Cloudy, with a low around 31. Blustery, with a west northwest wind around 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 70%. Little or no ice accumulation expected. Little or no snow accumulation expected.
Friday: A chance of snow showers and freezing drizzle before 8am, then a chance of snow showers between 8am and 2pm, then a slight chance of rain and snow showers after 2pm. Cloudy, with a high near 35. Breezy, with a west northwest wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 40 mph. Chance of precipitation is 40%.
Friday Night: Cloudy, then gradually becoming partly cloudy, with a low around 28. Breezy, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph.
Saturday: A slight chance of snow showers before 1pm, then a chance of rain and snow showers between 1pm and 2pm, then a chance of rain showers after 2pm. Partly sunny, with a high near 39. Breezy, with a west wind 20 to 25 mph, with gusts as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 30%.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 30. Blustery, with a west wind 15 to 20 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 30 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 41.
Sunday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 29.
Columbus Day: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 34.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 47.
Tuesday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 31.
Wednesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 50.