'Intense' Snow Event Expected In Central US; Major Winter Storm Forecast In South Dakota

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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