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Central South Dakota is expected to bear the brunt of the storm, with more than a foot of snow anticipated in some places, forecasters have reported.
Parts of South Dakota are expected to receive up to 13 inches of snow, with wind gusts as high as 55 miles per hour, according to the National Weather Service.Credit…NOAA
More than 760,000 people in the northern Great Plains are under a blizzard warning on Monday due to heavy snow and powerful winds pounding the region, creating treacherous road conditions that could last through Tuesday.
Central South Dakota, where more than a foot of snow is possible, is expected to bear the brunt of the storm. Hazardous conditions are also forecast across portions of east-central and southeastern South Dakota, southern North Dakota, and Nebraska, said Kyle Weisser, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls, S.D.
As of Monday evening, parts of southeastern South Dakota had received up to six inches of snow, but more was expected to fall overnight, said Ashton Robinson Cook, a meteorologist with the Weather Service. Parts of central and northeastern Nebraska, including Martinsburg, Lincoln, and Central City, had also received about six inches of snow by Monday evening, though complete snowfall totals were not expected until Tuesday morning for the area, Mr. Cook said.
“Travel could be very difficult to impossible,” meteorologists warned in an advisory, noting that “widespread blowing snow” could significantly reduce visibility.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation said in a news release that conditions were “approaching near zero visibility” on roads covered in snow and ice on Monday afternoon, prompting officials to close parts of Interstate 90 through Tuesday morning.
An accident involving several jackknifed tractor-trailers forced a section of eastbound Interstate 80 near York, Neb., to close for about three hours on Monday afternoon, the Nebraska State Patrol said. There were no injuries in the accident, which was partly caused by blowing snow and slick road conditions, Cody Thomas, a spokesman for the Nebraska State Patrol, said in a statement.
Mr. Thomas said that there had been about 60 “weather-related incidents” on Interstate 80 in Nebraska on Monday, mostly between Lincoln and North Platte.
“We’re urging all travelers to assess whether or not their travel is absolutely necessary before hitting the road,” he said.
Forecasters warned that power outages are possible, particularly in South Dakota, as strong winds could damage trees and knock down power lines. On Monday night, though, there were no reports of widespread power outages.
The heaviest snowfall in central South Dakota is expected from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. local time, the Weather Service said. Strong winds and snow could linger into the night, especially in the central part of the state, forecasters said. A blizzard warning is in effect through late Tuesday night.
North Dakota and Nebraska will get more freezing rain,