The South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are advising motorists that I-29 from the North Dakota border to the Iowa border and I-90 from Sioux Falls to the Minnesota border will be closing at 10 p.m.
The National Weather Service has issued a blizzard warning from 6 p.m. tonight (Thursday) until 6 p.m. Friday, Jan. 15, 2021, for the entire I-29 corridor in South Dakota.
Portions of I-90 around and west of Sioux Falls will likely be posted as No Travel Advised with the possibility of a closure if conditions warrant.
Snow accumulations up to 5 inches or more and sustained winds up to 60 mph will make travel hazardous to impossible during the overnight hours.
Snow, ice, and wind today have already made travel conditions hazardous in many locations along the I-29 corridor. Heavy drifting is also expected with this system.
Many highways are ice covered, snow-packed and slippery, and visibilities range from one-eighth of a mile to zero. Travel is being strongly discouraged across much of eastern South Dakota well into Friday. Drivers trying to avoid the closures are reminded that state highways and county roads will not be any better and may likely be worse.
Travelers are reminded that SDDOT crews will plow until early evening hours as conditions allow, and it is safe for the drivers. After that, winter maintenance will be suspended and will resume about 5 a.m. the next morning, weather permitting. With the forecasted snow totals and continued high winds, it will take some time for crews to get roads clear and open again.
Be sure to visit https://sd511.org, download the app (SDDOT 511) or call 5-1-1 to check the latest road conditions and travel advisories before heading out. Sign up for My511SD for closure notifications by text message or email.
If you must travel, the departments of Transportation and Public Safety recommend travelers also take the following steps.
- Wear your seatbelt
- Travel during the day
- Drive with your headlights on (not daytime running lights) so you can be seen by other motorists from the front and rear
- Don’t use cruise control on icy or snow-covered roads
- Use highly traveled roads and highways
- Keep family and friends informed of your travel schedule and route
- Call 511 or visit safetravelusa.com for road conditions
- Keep a winter weather survival kit in your car. The kit should include blankets, warm clothing, water, energy bars, a flashlight, a distress flag, a shovel and matches
- Travel with a charged cell phone, but don’t rely on it to get you out of a bad situation
- Change travel plans as weather conditions warrant
If you do get stranded:
- Stay in your vehicle
- Run the engine and heater about 10 minutes an hour to stay warm
- When the engine is running, open a window slightly to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning. Periodically clearing snow from the exhaust pipe will also help prevent carbon monoxide buildup
- When it’s dark outside, turn on the interior light so rescuers can see you
- Put up a distress flag, or spread a large colored cloth on the ground to attract attention from rescuers
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