Rain, Freezing Rain, and High Winds Expected
- WeatherSD
- 1 day ago
- 2 min read
South Dakota faces a challenging weather day with a mix of rain, freezing rain, and snow moving in this Tuesday morning. The combination of precipitation types and strong winds will impact travel and outdoor activities across the state.
This morning, precipitation is advancing into South Dakota from the northwest. Temperatures in the northeast part of the state are hovering at or just below freezing, creating a window for precipitation to fall as freezing rain.
Northeast and North-central South Dakota: Expect areas of freezing rain during the morning hours. This can cause icy patches on roads, sidewalks, and bridges, increasing the risk of accidents. Winter Weather Advisories are in effect this morning.
Western and Central South Dakota: Temperatures are above freezing, so precipitation will mainly fall as rain.
By late morning or early afternoon, temperatures in the northeast will rise above freezing, changing freezing rain to plain rain.
Along with precipitation, strong northwest winds will develop and intensify throughout the day. High Wind Warnings are in effect for much of the state, with gusts expected to reach:
50 to 65 mph wind gusts starting in the northwest starting this morning, spreading south and east.
40 to 55 mph gusts in the east during the evening through the overnight
30 to 45 mph gusts are expected to decrease in the west for tonight
These winds will create hazardous conditions such as:
Blowing snow may reduce visibility on roads where the ground snow lacks a crust.
Difficult driving conditions, especially for high-profile vehicles
Potential damage to trees, power lines, and unsecured outdoor objects
Residents should secure loose items outdoors and avoid unnecessary travel during peak wind periods.
As temperatures drop again tonight, light snow may redevelop across eastern South Dakota. Combined with the strong winds, this snow could cause:
Reduced visibility due to blowing snow
Increased travel hazards, especially on rural roads and highways
Drivers should use caution, reduce speed, and keep headlights on to improve visibility. Snow removal crews may be active, but blowing snow can quickly cover cleared roads.
