'Intense' Snow Event Expected In Central US; Major Winter Storm Forecast In South Dakota
KEY POINTS
- Severe weather with heavy and "intense" snow rates are expected in South Dakota and neighbor states
- Up to 18 inches of snow is possible in parts of South Dakota and Minnesota
- Ice Storm Warnings have also been issued in three states
An "intense" snow event is expected to take place in parts of Central U.S. through the mid-week, with South Dakota and some of its neighbors forecasted to get the greatest impacts that will make travel difficult to impossible in affected areas.
"Winter storm forecast to bring heavy, blowing snow and freezing rain to the Central Plains and Upper Midwest," the National Weather Service (NWS) said in its Short Range Public Discussion report published Sunday.
The NWS further noted that aside from the winter storm that will affect states in the Rockies and the Plains, flash flooding and severe weather are "all expected" as the weather system intensifies.
The highest amounts of snow accumulations are expected in southern South Dakota, southern Minnesota, northwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Nebraska.
"Intense snow rates" of up to 12 inches are expected in South Dakota and southwest Minnesota starting Sunday evening, the Weather Prediction Center said.
The new year will begin very wintry across the Plains and Upper Midwest, where a potent winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain to parts of the area. Significant impacts to travel are likely. pic.twitter.com/9tTzWErp9p
— NWS Weather Prediction Center (@NWSWPC) January 1, 2023
Heavy snowfall combined with gusty winds and blowing snow will result in reduced visibility on snow-covered roads, the agency added.
In South Dakota, the NWS in Sioux Falls said a "slow recovery" should be expected after the winter storm ushers in weather that will result in power outages, slick roads and snapped tree branches.
MAJOR WINTER STORM AHEAD
— NWS Sioux Falls (@NWSSiouxFalls) January 1, 2023
Here is a look at the latest snow and ice totals, and impacts expected.
This storm may produce nearly impossible travel and a slow recovery afterwards.
Please take the forecast seriously! pic.twitter.com/mDUJVNbsLg
By early Monday, higher snow totals will begin to affect parts of the state such as Mitchell and Woonsocket with up to 18 inches of snow accumulations possible.
Travel will be "hazardous" Monday evening and Tuesday, the office warned.
Over in Minnesota, the NWS in Twin Cities said the heaviest snow is expected to fall Tuesday morning, with up to 2 inches of snow rates per hour possible.
Here comes another winter storm. Expect impacts to travel starting late tomorrow and lasting through Tuesday. The heaviest snow will fall Tuesday morning. Meanwhile there's a risk for freezing rain near I-90 #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/iCS32Qt6mj
— NWS Twin Cities (@NWSTwinCities) January 1, 2023
Officials at the NWS in Milwaukee said some parts of Wisconsin may experience freezing rain Monday evening before the weather transitions into snow Tuesday night.
Active weather pattern this week! Patchy dense fog tonight, rain and maybe freezing rain for some Monday night, more rain Tuesday before transitioning to snow Tuesday night into Wednesday. Make sure to keep up with the forecast over the next few days! #wiwx #swiwx pic.twitter.com/TVtiDkCTlu
— NWS Milwaukee (@NWSMilwaukee) January 1, 2023
In Nebraska, officials at the NWS in Omaha said the highest snow accumulations of up to 10 inches are expected near the South Dakota border.
Ice and winter storm warnings are now in effect for some areas Monday into Tuesday. Ice accumulations of 0.10 to 0.40 and snow of 4-10" are forecast. This could result in significant travel disruptions. Power outages could also develop in the ice area. Now is the time to prepare! pic.twitter.com/rpsb26H3UE
— NWS Omaha (@NWSOmaha) January 1, 2023
Areas that will experience strong winds and ice storms should expect Monday evening and Tuesday morning commutes to be affected, the office said.
Winter Alerts in South Dakota
Ice Storm Warning effective from noon Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday:
- Union (up to 6 inches in snow accumulations possible)
Winter Storm Warnings effective through 5 a.m. Tuesday:
- Fall River and Southern Foothills (up to 12 inches of snow accumulations possible)
- Southern lack Hills, Custer Co Plains and Hermosa Foot Hills
- Central Black Hills, Rapid City and Pennington Co Plains
- Oglala Lakota, Bennett and Jackson (up to 15 inches of snow accumulations possible)
Winter Storm Warnings effective from 3 a.m. Monday through 11 a.m. Tuesday:
- Todd, Tripp and Mellette (up to 15 inches of snow accumulations possible)
- Stanley, Hand, Hughes and Hyde
- Lyman, Buffalo and Jones (up to 13 inches of snow accumulations possible)
Winter Storm Warnings effective from 6 a.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday:
- Moody, McCook, Sanborn, Miner, Hanson, Douglas, Gregory, Jerauld, Lake, Aurora, Charles Mix, Beadle, Brule, Brookings and Davison (up to 18 inches of snow accumulations possible)
- Lincoln, Yankton, Bon Homme, Minnehaha, Turner, Hutchinson and Clay (up to 14 inches of snow accumulations possible)
- Hamlin, Codington, Spink, Clark, Deuel and Grant
Winter Alerts in Minnesota
Ice Storm Warnings effective from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday:
- Dodge, Jackson and Mower
- Blue Earth, Martin and Faribault
- Freeborn, Waseca and Steele
Winter Storm Warnings effective from noon Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday:
- Watonwan, Redwood, Yellow Medicine, Renville, Sibley, Brown, La Qui Parle, Nicollet and Chippewa (up to 12 inches of snow accumulations possible)
- Pope, Wright, Stearns, Ramsey, Chisago, Anoka, Benton, Hennepin, Sherburne and Washington
- Rice, Le Sueur, Swift, Meeker, Carver, Kandiyohi, Dakota, McLeod and Scott
- Lincoln, Pipestone and Lyon (up to 18 inches of snow accumulations possible)
- Nobles, Murray, Cottonwood and Rock (up to 14 inches of snow accumulations possible)
Winter Alerts in Wisconsin
Winter Storm Warning effective from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday:
- St. Croix, Barron and Polk
Winter Storm Watches effective from 6 p.m. Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday:
- Taylor, Clark and Jackson
- Buffalo and Trempealeau
Winter Storm Watches effective from late Monday night through 12 a.m. Wednesday:
- Burnett, Douglas and Price
- Ashland, Washburn, Sawyer, Bayfield and Iron
Winter Alerts in Nebraska
Ice Storm Warnings effective from noon Monday through 6 p.m. Tuesday:
- Cuming, Thurston, Burt, Wayne, Colfax, Stanton, Madison and Dodge
- Dakota and Dixon
Winter Storm Warnings effective from 6 a.m. Monday through noon Tuesday:
- Greeley, Buffalo, Dawson, Hamilton, Hall, Gosper, Nance, Merrick, Howard, Valley, Polk, Sherman and Phelps
- Thomas, Keya Paha, Western Cherry, Boyd, Grant, Eastern Cherry, Hooker, Sheridan, Rock and Grant
- Holt, Garfield, Wheeler, Custer, Loup, Hayes and Lincoln
- Frontier, Perkins, Chase, Keith and Logan

© Copyright IBTimes 2024. All rights reserved.