Winter Storm Brings Snow, Ice to Western South Dakota

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A winter storm system is expected to bring a mix of snow, freezing rain, and ice accumulations to western South Dakota, including the Black Hills region, starting Thursday night and continuing through Friday. The National Weather Service has issued Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories for several counties in the area, with the potential for up to a foot of snow in some locations and hazardous road conditions due to ice.

Why it matters

This winter storm could significantly impact travel and daily activities across the region, especially during the Friday morning commute. The combination of snow and ice poses risks for drivers, pedestrians, and infrastructure, requiring residents to take extra precautions.

The details

The storm system will begin as rain on Thursday night, transitioning to freezing rain and potentially accumulating up to a tenth of an inch of ice. This icy mix will then change over to snow, with the heaviest accumulations expected in the northern South Dakota plains, where up to a foot of snow is possible. The Rapid City area is forecast to see 1 to 3 inches of snow, while the northern Black Hills near Lead and Deadwood could see over a foot.

• The storm system will arrive in the region on Thursday night.
• Freezing rain and ice accumulations are expected in the overnight hours into early Friday morning.
• The precipitation will then transition to snow, with the heaviest snowfall expected on Friday.

What’s next

Residents should monitor the weather forecasts and be prepared for potentially hazardous driving conditions on Friday morning. Local authorities may issue advisories or warnings about the storm's impacts.