Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - The Groundhog will not see his shadow around the area this week…winter will return Tuesday into Wednesday.
A significant winter storm system will affect the area Tuesday. Right now, the major impact will be heavy snow and blowing snow.
Blizzard Watches have been issued for far southeast South Dakota, parts of southwest Minnesota, eastern Nebraska and much of Iowa. Accumulations of 4 to 10 inches of snow, with locally higher amounts possible, and winds gusting to 35 mph will reduce visibility and make travel hazardous. In the immediate area, the watch goes from 3 a.m. Tuesday morning through 6 a.m. Wednesday morning.
Minnehaha County currently is not in the watch area, but Lincoln, Union and Clay counties in South Dakota, Rock and Nobles counties in southwest Minnesota and Lyon, Sioux and Plymouth counties in Iowa are included in the watch area. A change in the storm track to the north or south is still possible.
If you must travel Monday night through Wednesday morning, make sure you have a survival kit in your vehicle and keep informed of changing weather conditions.