Minnehaha County and surrounding areas will remain under a winter storm warning Monday afternoon through Tuesday evening as a “significant winter storm” moves through the area, according to the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls.
The Sioux Falls area is expected to receive the heaviest snowfall so far this season, the warning said, with total snow accumulations of 5 to 14 inches possible. Locally, accumulations could be higher and the area could see anywhere from one-tenth to one-quarter of an inch of snow.
Wind gusts of up to 40 mph are expected in the area, but the trend was higher by early Sunday morning, the warning said.
“Ice and/or heavy snow is likely to cause power outages and tree damage,” the warning states. “Travel may become nearly impossible. Visibility may be significantly reduced by falling and blowing snow. Hazardous conditions may affect morning or evening travel.”
The warning also says some areas will experience heavy snowfall at a rate of 1-2 inches per hour Monday night into Tuesday morning.
“Blizzard or near blizzard conditions may develop,” the warning states. “Small fluctuations in the storm track are still possible, which could affect the type and amount of rain forecast.”
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It is the fourth winter storm to move through the area in about as many weeks, bringing blizzard-like conditions to two of the last three. Sioux Falls received a total of 19.4 inches of snow for December, making it the sixth snowiest December on record, according to the NWS.
A winter storm warning is expected to be in effect from Monday afternoon until 6 pm Tuesday.
Here’s a closer look at the timing for the winter system:
When will it start snowing?
It is expected to affect the morning and evening commute Monday and Tuesday, the NWS Watch states.
It will start snowing by 6 a.m. and runs until noonBefore it transitions to a winter mix in the Sioux Falls area, the NWS website states.
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A wintry mix of snow and freezing rain is expected Lasts till 3 pmbefore converting back to ice from midnight to 9 p.m On Tuesday, the heaviest snowfall is expected 6 pm on Monday and 6 am on TuesdayNWS States.
What is the forecast for the rest of the week?
While the first half of the first week of 2023 looks like the storm will ride out, the rest of the week looks clear, according to the NWS. Here is a more detailed forecast:
Wednesday: Partly sunny, with a high near 17. North wind 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.
Wednesday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 2.
Thursday: Mostly sunny, with a high near 16.
Thursday night: Partly cloudy, with a low around 7.
Friday: Partly sunny, with a high near 25.
Friday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 16.
Saturday: Mostly cloudy, with a high near 25.
Saturday night: Mostly cloudy, with a low around 15.
sunday: Partly sunny, with a high near 25.
