Winter storm updates

Interstates reopen across South Dakota

All sections of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 are reopened to traffic throughout the state of South Dakota, according to the Department of Transportation.

Interstate 90 between Mitchell and Sioux Falls was reopened at 4:30 p.m. Significant blowing and drifting occurred through this area, and motorists are advised to be aware of continued drifting in the eastbound lanes, especially near bridge ends.

Travel conditions

Due to the extremely cold temperatures and windy conditions, applying chemical and salt are not effective treatment options. Travelers should expect to encounter ice-covered roads and snow covered shoulders. Snow removal equipment will be working to remove ice in the driving lanes and snow remaining on shoulders. The DOT urges extra caution and reduced travel speeds.

No-travel advisories continue to be in place on some state highways.

SD511 notifications

For the latest on road and weather conditions, visit https://sd511.org or dial 511. Sign up for customized notifications on 511.org for a free service that allows you to receive text messages and/or email notifications about road closure updates and travel advisories along routes of your choice.

To access all the latest information, click on the 2022-2023 Storm Information graphic on the homepage of the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/.

Portions of interstates reopening

Sections of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 are being reopened today as conditions improve, according to the state Department of Transportation.

I-90 updates

• I-90 (westbound and eastbound) from Chamberlain to Vivian was reopened at 10:30 a.m. Central time.
• I-90 (westbound and eastbound) from Mitchell to Chamberlain was reopened at 11:45 a.m. Central.
• The remaining section of I-90 closed between Mitchell and Sioux Falls had significant drifting and cleanup is still being done. Progress will be monitored. This section will be reopened as soon as conditions safely allow. The DOT anticipates the remaining section of I-90 to reopen mid- to late-afternoon, as drifting is cleared from the lanes of travel.

I-29 updates

• I-29 (northbound and southbound) from Sioux Falls to Brookings reopened at 11 a.m. Central.
• The remaining sections of I-29 closed between Brookings and the North Dakota state line had significant drifting and cleanup is still being done. Progress will be monitored. This section will be reopened as soon as conditions safely allow. The DOT anticipates the remaining sections of I-29 to reopen mid- to late-afternoon, as drifting is cleared from the lanes of travel.

Travel conditions

Due to the extremely cold temperatures and windy conditions, applying chemical and salt are not effective treatment options.

Travelers should expect to encounter ice-covered roads and snow covered shoulders. Snow removal equipment will be working to remove ice in the driving lanes and snow remaining on shoulders. The DOT is asking for extra caution and reduced travel speed.

No-travel advisories continue to impact state highways across the eastern half of the state of South Dakota, with many highways physically impassable from blockages of large snow drifts, stranded vehicles, and completely plugged bridges.

SD511 notifications

For the latest on road and weather conditions, visit https://sd511.org or dial 511. Sign up for customized notifications on /sd511.org for a free service that allows you to receive text messages and/or email notifications about road closure updates and travel advisories along routes of your choice.

To access all the latest information, click on the 2022-2023 Storm Information graphic on the homepage of the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/.

State offices remain closed in some counties until noon Thursday

Gov. Kristi Noem ordered state government executive branch offices in certain counties to remain closed until noon on Thursday because of the winter storms in South Dakota, according to a news release.

State offices will remain closed until noon in the following counties: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Buffalo, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Day, Deuel, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Sanborn, Spink, Sully, Turner, and Walworth.

While executive branch offices in these counties will be closed, state employees will work remotely.

Much of the eastern part of the state remains in a blizzard warning until noon Thursday. The western part and the southeasternmost portion of the state will be in a winter storm warning.

Citizens should be prepared to stay home if possible. Many state highways already have no travel advised, and numerous roads are physically blocked. Portions of I-29 and I-90 are closed. If South Dakotans must travel, they should check sd511.org or the SD511 mobile app.

Additional interstate closures announced

With heavy accumulating snow totals and sustained high winds causing blizzard-like conditions and extensive drifting, additional interstate closures are planned for today, according to the state Department of Transportation:

• Interstate 90 (eastbound and westbound) will be closed from Mitchell (exit 332) to Vivian (exit 212) at 5 p.m. Central. Motorists are advised to plan accordingly and seek hotel accommodations at Murdo or Pierre. Limited truck parking is available in Vivian. This additional closure will effectively extend the I-90 closure to the west from Sioux Falls (exit 395) to Vivian (exit 212). Earlier, in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, eastbound I-90 closed from Sioux Falls (exit 402/Veterans Parkway) to the Minnesota state line.
• Interstate 29 (northbound and southbound) remains closed from the North Dakota state line to Sioux Falls (exit 84).

Secondary highways

No-travel advisories are in place on multiple secondary highways throughout South Dakota due to high winds, blowing snow, and low visibilities associated with this winter storm system.

Motorists should not use secondary highways to avoid interstate closures. Significantly reduced visibilities and blizzard-like conditions, along with extreme wind chills, will make travel very dangerous this evening and into Thursday.

National Weather Service forecast

Blizzard and winter storm warnings are in effect through Thursday morning. Moderate to heavy snowfall will occur for a period today and again overnight. North to northeasterly winds will gust between 35 and 45 mph. Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions are expected in many locations with difficult to impossible travel conditions. Steady to falling temperatures are expected today into Thursday, with sub-zero wind chills likely during the period of heaviest snow and strong winds. Dangers will increase for anyone who may become stranded outdoors.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.

Noem closes some state government offices for winter storm

Gov. Kristi Noem has ordered all state government executive branch offices in certain counties to be closed today, Wednesday, Feb. 22, because of the winter storms in South Dakota, her office said in a news release.

State offices are closed in the following counties: Aurora, Beadle, Brookings, Brown, Buffalo, Campbell, Clark, Codington, Davison, Day, Deuel, Douglas, Edmunds, Faulk, Grant, Hamlin, Hand, Hanson, Hutchinson, Hyde, Jerauld, Kingsbury, Lake, Lincoln, Marshall, McCook, McPherson, Miner, Minnehaha, Moody, Potter, Sanborn, Spink, Sully, Turner, and Walworth.

While executive branch offices in these counties are closed, state employees will work remotely.

Much of the eastern part of the state is in a blizzard warning from 6 a.m. today until 12 p.m. Thursday. The western and the southeasternmost portions of the state will be in a winter storm warning.

Snowfall of between 8 and 18 inches is expected across the state over the next two days. Winds will pick up overnight and into Wednesday, especially in the eastern part of the state. On Thursday, temperatures are expected to drop to around -20 degrees.

People should be prepared to stay home if possible, the Governor’s Office said. Many state highways already have no travel advised, and numerous roads are physically blocked. Portions of I-29 and I-90 closed on Tuesday night. If South Dakotans must travel, they should check sd511.org or the SD511 mobile app.

Interstate closures planned

The following interstate closures are planned for tonight due to deteriorating weather conditions across the state, according to the Department of Transportation:

• Interstate 29 (northbound and southbound) will be closed from the North Dakota state line to Brookings at 8 p.m.
• Interstate 29 (northbound and southbound) will be closed from Brookings (exit 132) to Sioux Falls (exit 84) at 10 p.m.
• Interstate 90 (eastbound and westbound) will be closed from Sioux Falls (exit 395) to Mitchell (exit 332) at 10 p.m.

A blizzard warning has been issued by the National Weather Service for much of the state, with heavy accumulating snow totals and sustained high winds expected to cause blizzard-like conditions and extensive drifting. With conditions approaching near zero visibility and significant drifting of snow, the DOT anticipates additional sections of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 will close on Wednesday morning as the system moves across the state.

Secondary highways

No-travel advisories are also expected to be placed on secondary highways throughout South Dakota due to high winds, blowing snow and low visibilities associated with this winter storm system.

Motorists should not use secondary highways to avoid interstate closures. Significantly reduced visibilities and blizzard-like conditions, along with extreme wind chills, will make travel very dangerous over the next few days.

For the latest on road and weather conditions, visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.