Blizzard Warnings issued for parts of South Dakota and Minnesota as heavy snow and strong winds threaten whiteout conditions

Blizzard Warnings are in effect for parts of South Dakota and southwest Minnesota as a strong winter storm system is forecast to bring heavy snow, strong winds, and widespread blowing snow beginning Saturday, March 14. Warning timing varies by location, with some areas entering blizzard conditions Saturday night and others later overnight into Sunday.

The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts snowfall totals ranging from about 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 inches) in some warning areas to 25 to 48 cm (10 to 19 inches) in others, with a few zones also facing a light glaze of ice. Wind gusts are expected to reach 80 to 90 km/h (50 to 55 mph), producing blowing snow and whiteout conditions that could make travel extremely dangerous or impossible.

South Dakota

In parts of central and east-central South Dakota served by the Sioux Falls office, Blizzard Warnings are in effect from 22:00 CDT Saturday, March 14, until 01:00 CDT Monday, March 16, with expected snowfall of about 8 to 15 cm (3 to 6 inches), locally higher in some areas, and wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

In other eastern South Dakota counties served by Aberdeen, Winter Storm Warnings begin earlier Saturday and transition to Blizzard Warnings overnight into Sunday, with some warnings ending at 19:00 CDT Sunday.

Several counties, including Hand, Hyde, Faulk, Clark, and Spink, are forecast to experience a winter storm phase before blizzard conditions develop. A Winter Storm Warning is also in effect from 19:00 CDT on March 14 until 01:00 CDT on March 15, followed by a Blizzard Warning from 01:00 CDT until 19:00 CDT on March 15. Snowfall totals in these areas are forecast to reach up to 13–25 cm (5–10 inches), combined with wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

In Stanley, Hughes, Jones, Lyman, and Buffalo counties, a Winter Weather Advisory is in effect from 22:00 CDT on March 14 until 04:00 CDT on March 15, followed by a Blizzard Warning from 04:00 to 16:00 CDT on March 15. Total snow accumulations for the event are forecast between 5 and 15 cm (2 to 6 inches), with wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

In northeastern South Dakota, snowfall totals are expected to be highest in counties such as Day, Marshall, Roberts, Codington, Grant, Hamlin, and Deuel, where totals range from about 25 to 48 cm (10 to 19 inches), with isolated areas near 50 cm (20 inches), along with wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph). Nearby counties, including Brown, Edmunds, and McPherson, are forecast to receive lower totals, generally around 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 inches), but still face whiteout conditions as winds increase.

Minnesota

Blizzard Warnings also affect parts of southwest Minnesota, including Lincoln, Lyon, Murray, Cottonwood, Nobles, Jackson, and Pipestone counties. Blizzard conditions are forecast from 22:00 CDT on March 14 until 07:00 CDT on March 16 as heavy snowfall and strong winds impact the region.

Snowfall totals in these areas are forecast to range between approximately 13–28 cm (5–11 inches), with wind gusts reaching up to 90 km/h (55 mph). These conditions are expected to generate widespread blowing snow and severely reduced visibility, potentially making travel extremely dangerous or impossible at times.

Additional counties, including Big Stone and Traverse, are forecast to experience a winter storm phase beginning at 13:00 CDT on March 14 before blizzard conditions develop overnight.

A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect until 03:00 CDT on March 15, after which a Blizzard Warning is expected to remain in place until 19:00 CDT the same day. Snowfall totals in these areas could reach approximately 25–48 cm (10–19 inches), with wind gusts up to 80 km/h (50 mph).

The NWS warns that the combination of heavy snowfall and strong winds could produce prolonged periods of whiteout conditions across affected areas, significantly disrupting travel and potentially impacting the Monday morning commute in parts of the Upper Midwest.

Reference:

¹ Blizzard Warning – NWS – March 14, 2026