SIOUX FALLS, S. D. (KELO AM) - The blizzard warning has been expanded to include Minnehaha, McCook and Lincoln Counties, and northwest Iowa, until nine tonight.
The west bound lanes of Interstate 90 from Sioux Falls to Salem were closed due to many accidents blocking the lanes, including, reportedly, a 22-vehicle pileup. There have been reports of tractor trailers blown over.
Sioux Falls police issued a no travel advisory for the city until the wind subsides. Conditions may be roughest just as workers commute home this evening. Spokesman officer Sam Clemens says the commute should be "interesting", but will be find if everybody takes their time.
South Dakota Department of Transportation spokesperson, Kristi Sandal, says even the state snow plows pull over to the side of the highway when visibility gets bad. She says the highways are dangerous until the blizzard passes.
Sioux Falls meteorologist Todd Heitkamp says this is not a typical upper Midwest blizzard. However, very strongs winds beween 50 and 60 miles an hour, combined with the snowfall received and expected today, will reduce visibility making travel hazardous.
Heitkamp says snowfall total is forecast at about an inch.
He says wind chill values will reach ten to twenty below tonight.