2-day storm will deliver 2 rounds of snowfall to southeastern South Dakota

A winter storm watch will be in effect Tuesday through Thursday for southeastern South Dakota, as a significant winter storm expected to bring blizzard conditions moves through the area, according to the National Weather Service of Sioux Falls.

The watch, expected to last from late Tuesday through Thursday morning, states the storm could bring a total of 9 to 16 inches of snowfall to some areas and ice accumulations "of a light glaze" are possible. Winds gusts are expected to reach up to 50 mph, the watch states.

"Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the morning or evening commute," the alter reads. "Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines. The cold wind chills as low as 25 below zero Thursday could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes... The greatest risk for blizzard conditions will occur early Wednesday into early Thursday."

What counties are under the watch?

The watch includes southwest Minnesota and east central and southeast South Dakota. As of 5 p.m. Sunday, the watch included the following counties:

• Rock

• Beadle

• Sanborn

• Miner

• Lake

• Moody

• Davison

• Hanson

• McCook

• Minnehaha

More:Sioux Falls man tries to 'sell' snow on marketplace amid Tuesday's storm

How much snow could Sioux Falls see?

As of 3:30 p.m. Sunday, there was a high risk the Sioux Falls area could see more than 6 inches of snow through the two-day event, a weather briefing on the NWS website stated. There's also a moderate to high risk the area could see a total of more than 12 inches for the entire storm system, the website states.

How is the storm expected to unfold?

The storm is expected to move through with a one-two punch, with the first round arriving midday Tuesday and lingering through Tuesday night.

That first round will bring at least 2 inches to the sioux Falls area, with heavier snowfall expected north of Interstate 90, the NWS website states.

More:Sioux Falls nearly breaks 1929 snowfall record for January

That second round is where you can likely expect see snowfall of 1-2 inches per hour, as the system brings in a more widespread area of snow Wednesday morning. Then, the storm will intensify by Wednesday afternoon before the whole system moves out by midday Thursday, according to the NWS of Sioux Falls.

Temperatures will also fall dramatically Wednesday night, with wind chill values below zero into Thursday morning.

What does this mean for an already active winter?

"If we start pulling out the record books ahead of a storm, then you know that the potential is there for heavy snow," the NWS of Sioux Falls tweeted Sunday morning.

The most the Sioux Falls area saw for snowfall in a two-day event similar to this one was 31 inches of snow Feb. 17-18 in 1962.

And this storm comes on the heels of a near-record-breaking January. The city very nearly broke its record for January snowfall, with 21.4 inches in 2023, falling just behind the 22.2 inches of snow of 1929, according to a tweet from the National Weather Service.

What can I do to prepare?

With less than 48 hours to go before the storm arrives, the NWS of Sioux Falls recommended residents:

• Review your weather safety plans

• Prepare an alternative plan if school or work is closed

• Check with family and friends to see if they need assistance

And if there's between 12-24 hours before the storm arrives, you should:

• Charge all portable charges and batteries

• Finalize any alternative plans

• Pick up last-minute supplies and gas

And finally, if there's less than 12 hours to go before the storm arrives:

• Avoid travel if possible

• Monitor local media for storm updates

• Check on friends and family to see if help is needed

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: 2-day storm will deliver 2 rounds of snowfall to southeastern South Dakota