UPDATE: Many workers in Sioux Falls and around the area came to work this morning and are trying to get home. The Blizzard is making travel treacherous as illustrated by a pileup with as many as 20 vehicles on Northbound I-29 near Dell Rapids. Lights on, lights off when you get there! 

Hold on to your hats, the weather is just about set to take a turn, for the winter worst. According to The National Weather Service, the winter storm will start this morning with strong winds northwest winds picking up with winds in excess of 45 MPH prior to daybreak. From there, things will go pretty much downhill. If you were looking for a White Christmas, it looks like your wish may come true.

According to the National Weather Service, after daybreak snow will move into the area with amounts of anywhere from 3 to 6 inches. [Around 4 inches for the immediate Sioux Falls area] That snow, paired with winds approaching 50 MPH at times will make travel hazardous if not impossible in rural areas. The photo featured above is not from the area, but will most likely be fairly representative of this storm blowing through midday, Wednesday 23, 2020. According to the National Weather Service;

Snow, mainly before 3pm. Widespread blowing snow, mainly between 8am and 4pm. Temperature falling to around 13 by 5pm. Windy, with a northwest wind 25 to 35 mph, with gusts as high as 55 mph. Chance of precipitation is 100%. New snow accumulation of around 4 inches.

Aaron Doudna from Dakota News Now updated us at 4:40 AM. He said;

The highest snowfall amounts will be in the eastern parts of the region where some parts of Minnesota could see 5 to 6 inches of snow. In the Sioux Falls area, we could see around 4 inches. Snowfall amounts will taper off to the west. But with the wind gusting between 50 and 60 mph, visibility will be reduced causing travel issues.

The combination of winds and snow will make travel extremely hazardous. Listen to this Results Radio Station throughout the day for weather updates from Dakota News Now.

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