DECEMBER 24, 2022:
Interstate 90 has been reopened (eastbound and westbound) from Mitchell to Sioux Falls as of 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022.
I-90 remains closed (eastbound ONLY) from Sioux Falls (exit 402) to the Minnesota state line. This section of I-90 will reopen today when Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) reopens I-90 at the state line.
Travel Conditions:
Due to the extremely cold temperatures and windy conditions, applying chemical and salt are not effective treatment options.
- Travelers should expect to encounter ice-covered roads and snow-covered shoulders.
- Snow removal equipment will be working to remove ice in the driving lanes and snow remaining on shoulders.
- Please use extra caution and reduce travel speed.
No Travel Advisories continue to impact some state highways in the central and northeast areas of South Dakota.
SD511 Notifications:
For the latest on road and weather conditions, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511. Sign up for customized notifications on https://sd511.org for this free service that allows you to receive text messages and/or email notifications about road closure updates and travel advisories along routes of your choice.
To access all the latest information, please click on the December 2022 Storm Information graphic on the homepage of the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/.
DECEMBER 23, 2022:
Sections of Interstate 90 and Interstate 29 have been reopened (Dec. 23, 2022), provided conditions improve as forecasted throughout the day.
I-90 Updates:
- I-90 (westbound ONLY) from Wall to Rapid City has been reopened.
- The remaining section of I-90 between Wall and the Minnesota state line has significant drifting and cleanup is being done throughout the state. Progress will be monitored. This section will be reopened as soon as conditions safely allow. SDDOT anticipates additional sections of I-90 to begin reopening late morning through late afternoon, as conditions improve and visibility and drifting snow no longer present safety concerns.
I-29 Updates:
- I-29 (northbound and southbound) from Sioux Falls to Watertown has been reopened.
- The remaining section of I-29, between Watertown and the North Dakota state line, has significant drifting and visibility issues. Progress will be monitored. This section will be reopened as soon as conditions safely allow. SDDOT anticipates the remaining section of I-29 to reopen late afternoon as conditions improve and visibility and drifting no longer present safety concerns.
Travel Conditions:
Due to the extremely cold temperatures and windy conditions, applying chemical and salt are not effective treatment options.
- Travelers should expect to encounter ice-covered roads and snow covered shoulders.
- Snow removal equipment will be working to remove ice in the driving lanes and snow remaining on shoulders.
- Please use extra caution and reduce travel speed.
No Travel Advisories continue to impact state highways across South Dakota, with many highways physically impassable from blockages of large snow drifts, stranded vehicles, and completely plugged bridges.
SD511 Notifications:
For the latest on road and weather conditions, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511. Sign up for customized notifications on https://sd511.org for this free service that allows you to receive text messages and/or email notifications about road closure updates and travel advisories along routes of your choice.
To access all the latest information, please click on the December 2022 Storm Information graphic on the homepage of the SDDOT website at https://dot.sd.gov/.
DECEMBER 22, 2022, UPDATE:
Interstate 90 (both eastbound and westbound) remains closed from Rapid City to Chamberlain due to sustained high winds causing blizzard-like conditions. As high winds move east, low visibility and drifting snow are worsening.
The current closure on I-90 will be extended to Sioux Falls at 5 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, Dec. 22, 2022.
The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a blizzard warning in effect through Friday, Dec. 23, 2022. In addition to blizzard-like conditions, many stuck and stranded vehicles are blocking lanes of traffic.
Due to continued high winds causing near zero visibility and drifting snow, along with ongoing issues with stranded motorists, SDDOT anticipates the I-90 closure to remain in place through Thursday and into Friday, Dec. 23, 2022.
Officials will continually assess conditions to determine when I-90 can be reopened safely.
Secondary State Highways:
In addition to the I-90 closure, motorists are reminded that many No Travel Advisories and Road Impassable conditions are in place on state highways throughout the central and western part of the state.
Many secondary highways are currently listed as impassable due to high winds, drifting and blowing snow, and low visibility associated with this winter storm system. Motorists should not use secondary roads to avoid Interstate closures.
When listed as Road Impassable, travel on the road segment is physically impossible due to widespread deep snow, drifts, or stranded vehicles. Clearing these secondary roads is expected to be difficult as winds and additional snow are preventing ability to safely and effectively plow or blow the drifted snow, especially with the added issue of stranded vehicles.
Motorists are asked to avoid travel due to the extremely serious weather conditions, and rapidly deteriorating roads. Significantly reduced visibilities and blizzard-like conditions, along with extreme wind chills, make travel very dangerous.
For the latest on road and weather conditions, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.
Image credit National Weather Service.
Infographic credit National Weather Service.
Infographic credit AAA.
Image credit National Weather Service.
Image credit National Weather Service.
Infographic credit National Weather Service.
DECEMBER 22, 2022:
Interstate 90 (both eastbound and westbound) in South Dakota is closed from Rapid City (Box Elder exit 67) to Chamberlain (Dec. 21, 2022) due to snow and high winds causing blizzard-like conditions.
In addition to the I-90 closure, motorists are reminded that many No Travel Advisories and Road Impassable conditions are in place on state highways throughout the central and western part of the state.
Many secondary highways are currently listed as impassable due to high winds, drifting and blowing snow, and low visibility associated with this winter storm system. Motorists should not use secondary roads to avoid Interstate closures.
When listed as Road Impassable; travel on the road segment is physically impossible due to widespread deep snow, drifts, or stranded vehicles. Clearing these secondary roads is expected to be difficult as winds and additional snow are preventing ability to safely and effectively plow or blow the drifted snow, especially with the added issue of stranded vehicles.
Be prepared for changing weather conditions with this storm system as it moves across the state. Significantly reduced visibilities and blizzard-like conditions, along with extreme wind chills, make travel very dangerous.
Motorists are asked to avoid travel due to the extremely serious weather conditions, and rapidly deteriorating roads.
For the latest on road and weather conditions, please visit https://sd511.org or dial 511.
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