I-90 reopens from Chamberlain to Mitchell after major snowstorm

Update as of 5:30 p.m. Wednesday: Live updates for this page have stopped, given the major winter storm has now moved out of the area. For the latest on winter weather, road conditions and more, follow @argus911 and @NWSSiouxFalls on Twitter or visit sd511.org.

Earlier story: Sioux Falls and a majority of southeastern South Dakota are under a winter storm warning until 6 a.m. Wednesday, according to the National Weather Service of Sioux Falls.

Snow has been falling in the Sioux Falls area since Monday afternoon and by 2 p.m. Tuesday, at least 12.5 inches of snow had been reported in some areas of Sioux Falls, with some areas experiencing higher amounts, according to the NWS.

Light snow was expected to continue through the evening.

Paul TenHaken, the mayor of Sioux Falls, reminded people to try and avoid traveling in town during the storm.

What kind of conditions should I expect?

The system was expected to bring anywhere from 8 inches to 13 inches, according to the NWS on Monday evening. There was also the possibility of 1 to 2 inches of snowfall per hour.

Freezing rain, ice and sleet are also expected for southeastern South Dakota, southwest Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and northwestern Iowa from 6 p.m. Monday to 6 a.m. Tuesday.

Wind speeds could be as high as 40 miles per hour, according to the NWS.

Visibility while traveling could be greatly reduced, according to the NWS. Power outages due to snow and damaged trees could also be possible.

The Sioux Falls Police Department reminded people to be aware of traveling for non-emergency reasons and to check for snow alerts.

South Dakota road conditions, I-90 closures

As of 5 p.m., the City of Sioux Falls remained under a no travel advisory alert within city limits.

"The Sioux Falls Police Department is advising no travel in Sioux Falls until the snowfall and wind subside," the alert states. "Visibility is currently poor with blowing snow, scattered slippery spots and heavy accumulations making travel dangerous."

At 10 a.m., Minnehaha County Sheriff Mike Milstead urged via press release for travel within the county to cease., because travel in rural areas of Minnehaha County was currently close to impossible.

"County Plow crews are currently not able to continue plowing areas of the county due to impassable roads and zero visibility," the release states. "Tow trucks are unable to respond to calls for assistance due to zero visibility and impassable roads."

Though deputy sheriffs and county plow crews are working together to respond to emergencies and will continue to work cooperatively throughout the storm, he stated response times for both deputies and county plow crews are being impacted by the weather.

"The plow crews and deputies will continue to respond to emergencies but any other traffic on the roads negatively impacts their ability to ability to respond to emergencies," the release states. "Do not attempt travel in Minnehaha County until conditions improve."

The Lincoln County Sheriff's Office has also advised no travel for that county.

"You will not make it to your destination. Pickups are getting high centered in the roadways," the office posted to Facebook. "Our deputies are having a hard time reaching people and are getting stuck themselves. Off ramps on I-29 are impassable."

Interstate 29 has been reopened from Sioux Falls to Brookings as of 6 p.m. Tuesday. I-90 will remain closed overnight from Chamberlain (exit 265) to Sioux Falls (Marion Road/exit 395) due to significant snow accumulation, according to the South Dakota Department of Transportation.

I-90 has been reopened from Chamberlain to Mitchell as of 8 a.m. Wednesday. I-90 has been reopened westbound from Sioux Falls to Mitchell as of 4:45 p.m. Wednesday. "Although I-90 is now reopened (eastbound and westbound) across the state, travelers should expect to encounter difficult driving conditions," an alert from the department reads.

Roads in much of southeastern South Dakota remain slippery with frost, ice and snow, according to the DOT website.

For up-to-date road conditions, please visit the SD DOT interactive map.

More:How to check South Dakota road conditions, see cameras as winter storms hit

Are there power outages I need to be aware of?

As of 5 p.m. Tuesday, Xcel Energy, MidAmerican Energy, the South Dakota Rural Electric Association and Sioux Valley Energy were not reporting outages for the Sioux Falls area.

Below is a list of websites where you can check outages, but we'll have updates here as well if any large outages develop.

Xcel Energy: https://www.outagemap-xcelenergy.com/outagemap/

MidAmerican Energy: https://www.midamericanenergy.com/OutageWatch/dsk.html

South Dakota Rural Electric Association: https://outages.sdrea.coop/outages/maps

Sioux Valley Energy: https://ebill.siouxvalleyenergy.com/woViewer/mapviewer.html?config=Outage+Web+Map

More:Here's how to report a power outage, see outage maps in South Dakota as winter storms hit

Who has issued snow alerts?

As of 5 p.m. Monday, multiple snow alerts have been issued. All vehicles should be moved from city streets so plows can clear roads, or owners may face fines for some locations.

The City of Sioux Falls issued a snow alert at 7:30 a.m. Tuesday, effective immediately.

"Ticketing and towing of vehicles on Emergency Snow Routes is happening," the Sioux Falls Police Department stated with the alert on social media. "Remember just because an Emergency Snow Route has been plowed does not mean you can park there after as plows will be making multiple passes."

The City of Harrisburg's snow alert begins at 6 p.m. Monday.

The City of Tea's snow alert begins at 3 a.m. Tuesday.

The City of Hartford's snow alert begins at 4 a.m. Tuesday.

The City of Dell Rapid's snow alert begins at 5 a.m. Tuesday and goes until 5 p.m. Wednesday.

The City of Brandon's snow alert begins at 8 a.m. Tuesday and goes through Wednesday.

Sioux Falls school closings, South Dakota college closures

K-12

Multiple school districts across Sioux Falls and the surrounding canceled classes Tuesday, because of the storm. Many of districts canceled class again Wednesday, because of impassible roadways.The Sioux Falls School District, Harrisburg School District and Tea Area Schools announced closures Tuesday afternoon for Wednesday.

“Due to the amount of snow that fell with this winter storm and the time it will take for plows to get into residential neighborhoods, there will be No School, no practices and no activities tomorrow – Wednesday, January 4, 2023. District and school offices will be open,” the Sioux Falls School District alert stated.

More:How to watch and what to know about the FCS national championship game

Colleges

Augustana University announced Tuesday campus would be closed to allow time for the snow to be cleared from roadways also. Operations are currently expected to resume as normal Thursday.

University of Sioux Falls announced that classes would remain online through Wednesday, and normal operation was expected to resume Thursday.

Southeast Technical College closed Tuesday, campus officials announced Monday night, because of the storm. An update for Wednesday has not yet been given.

"All employees are to remain at home. Only essential personnel need to report to work," the announcement reads.

What businesses or city/county services are closed or delaying their start Tuesday?

City/County

Sioux Area Metro has canceled services for Tuesday, according to the city.“With no travel advisories for Sioux Falls and the region, it is in the best interest of safety for our drivers and passengers to cancel Sioux Area Metro service today and encourage everyone to stay home,” said Robert Speeks, SAM General Manager in a press release.

Instead, riders are encouraged to follow SAM’s Facebook and Twitter pages or text “RIDE” to 888-777 for route updates, the release states. Officials will re-evaluate operations for Wednesday.

The Sioux Falls Health Department and Falls Community Health will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday due to weather. Falls Community Health patients should call 9-1-1 if they are having a medical emergency.

All Sioux Falls community centers will be closed Tuesday as well, and Parks and Recreation league games will be rescheduled, according to the Sioux Falls Parks and Recreation Department.

All Siouxland Libraries branches are also closed Tuesday, but Siouxland Libraries is always open online. You can get eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music, and more here: https://siouxlandlib.org/apps.

The Sioux Falls Regional Sanitary Landfill closed at 2 p.m. Tuesday, due to hazardous road conditions caused by inclement weather. The landfill will resume normal operations on Wednesday. Regular landfill hours are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Saturday. The landfill is closed Sundays.

The Minnehaha County Courthouse and county officers are also closed for the day.

Businesses

The Sioux Falls Regional Airport has extended its closure, because of the major winter storm, the airport's website states. Initially, the closure was expected to last until 3 p.m. Tuesday. Now, the closure will go until 9 a.m. Wednesday.

"Crews are on hand and will be working through the night to reopen by tomorrow," the announcement reads. "Please check with your airline regarding any impacts to your travel plans."

Sanford Health announced the healthcare system will be closing all metro clinics.

The closures start at 1 p.m. Tuesday. Some locations in Minnesota and Iowa have also announced closures due to the inclement weather. A complete list of Sanford Health locations closing on Tuesday can be found here.

Clinics are expected to reopen Wednesday.

The Washington Pavilion of Arts & Science will be closed Tuesday, which includes the Kirby Science Discovery Center, Wells Fargo CineDome, Visual Arts Center, Graham Academy Preschool and Leonardo’s Café.

"The facility is planned to reopen on Wednesday, but watch our social media accounts for updates," a press release from the Pavilion states.Great Bear Ski Valley announced Monday they would close at 5 p.m. The ski area will remain closed Tuesday due to the forecast of high winds.

LifeScape adult services will be closed Tuesday, the organization announced Monday. Pathways will remain open.

The Midco Aquatic Center is also closed for the day, and all swimming classes and lessons will be rescheduled.

Stay tuned to this page for updates as the storm moves across the area.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: I-90 reopens from Chamberlain to Mitchell after major snowstorm