Another round of winter weather is moving across South Dakota Wednesday night into Thursday.
Rapid City National Weather Service meteorologist Keith Sherburn said much of the state can expect moderate snowfall. He said snow will gradually move west to east starting Wednesday afternoon.
"It’s looking like, generally speaking, we can expect three to five inches of snow across Western South Dakota, generally similar amounts if you go further east, though there could be some heavier snow East River, especially northeast South Dakota," Sherburn said. "We are looking the potentially as well of some locally heavier amounts right here near the Black Hills, particularly near the east and south side.”
Temperatures are expected to return above freezing in the Black Hills by as soon as this weekend.
Snow has entered southwestern SD and will spread throughout the region this afternoon and evening. Widespread 3 to 5 inches is expected with some localized higher amounts possible. Snowfall tapers off from west to east Thursday afternoon and evening. pic.twitter.com/bzK0WREL4a
— NWS Rapid City (@NWSRapidCity) March 8, 2023
Northeast South Dakota is in the crosshairs of the winter storm. National Weather Service Aberdeen meteorologist Mike Connelly said it’s nothing the area hasn’t already seen this winter.
“We’ll have probably some locally higher amounts, particularly in the Sisseton Hills region. Winds associated with this system aren’t anything too terrible," Connelly said.
"We’ve certainly seen stronger. Blowing snow will be kind of an issue in some locations where they have the deeper snowpack, but generally its going to be more sporadic issues or localized issues than a widespread blowing snow event.”
While conditions may not become as bad as the state saw from other systems throughout the winter, the snow will still impact travel - including for anyone hitting the road for girls state basketball tournaments.
Forecasters say snow will likely continue falling into early Friday morning.
State girls basketball tournaments start Thursday and what's a state tournament without winter weather? Snowfall begins overnight and continues through the day. Stay updated on the latest weather and road conditions. Pack a winter safety kit in your vehicle. #keepSDsafe pic.twitter.com/BXDyIRRUU8
— SDPublicSafety (@SDPublicSafety) March 8, 2023
Weather resources