5 to 8 inches of snow expected; southeastern South Dakota now under winter storm warning
Update as of 2:50 p.m. Friday: A winter storm warning has been issued for Lincoln County, according to the NWS office in Sioux Falls.
The warning is effective from 9 p.m. Friday night to 6 p.m. Saturday, the warning states. The storm is expected to drop between 5 to 8 inches of snow in southeastern South Dakota, including Turner County. The heaviest snowfall is expected to be from 2 a.m. to 10 a.m., the warning states.
"Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility," the warning states. "The cold wind chills as low as 20 below zero could cause frostbite on exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes."
A winter weather advisory remains in effect for Minnehaha County, including Sioux Falls, from 9 p.m. Friday to 6 p.m. Saturday. Between 3 to 6 inches of snow is expected for the area.
Earlier story: More winter weather is in the forecast for the Sioux Falls area this weekend, with several inches of snow possible followed by wind chills that could reach -26 degrees.
The first round of snow is expected to hit the area at 8 p.m. Thursday, according to the National Weather Service.
While only about an inch of snow is expected to fall, wind gusts of more than 40 miles per hour could result in drifting snow and low visibility. Minnehaha County is under a wind advisory through 9 a.m. Friday.
More snow is expected to fall from Friday night into early Saturday morning, with current estimates set at about 2 inches of snow, though changes in the storm's track could affect those totals.
Saturday will also bring a significant drop in temperatures, with single-digit highs through Tuesday and wind chills as low as -26 degrees.
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Sioux Falls weather forecast through Thursday Feb. 2
The National Weather Service's forecast for the next week is below:
Tonight: Rain and snow before 3 a.m., then a chance of snow between 3 and 5 a.m., then a slight chance of rain and snow after 5 a.m. Temperature rising to about 34 by 2 a.m. Blustery, with a south southwest wind 15 to 20 mph becoming west northwest 20 to 25 mph after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. Total nighttime snow accumulation of less than one inch possible.
Friday: Cloudy, then gradually becoming mostly sunny, with a temperature falling to around 23 by 4 p.m. Breezy, with a northwest wind 20 to 25 mph decreasing to 10 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.
Friday Night: Snow, mainly after 10 p.m. Low around 5. Northwest wind 5 to 15 mph becoming northeast after midnight. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around an inch possible.
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Saturday: Snow, mainly before 7 a.m. Temperature falling to around 4 by 5 p.m. Blustery, with a northeast wind 15 to 20 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New snow accumulation of around 2 inches.
Saturday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -10. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
Sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 3. North wind 5 to 10 mph.
Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around -9.
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Monday: Partly sunny, with a high near 1.
Monday Night: Partly cloudy, with a low around -12.
Tuesday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 7.
Tuesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -9.
Wednesday: Sunny, with a high near 10.
Wednesday Night: Mostly clear, with a low around -12.
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Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 8.
This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Southeastern South Dakota now under winter storm warning
