A post-Christmas winter storm is forecasted to double the season’s snowfall total this week.
The National Weather Service in Sioux Falls is predicting Mitchell to receive about 8 to 10 inches of snow today through Friday, with higher amounts likely falling in an area that stretches from Winner to Chamberlain and Huron. Mitchell has received 8.4 inches of snow so far this season.
“It’s going to be a mess out there,” said Brad Adams, observing program leader with the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls.
A large portion of central South Dakota is in a Winter Storm Watch beginning at 6 a.m. today. Adams said many counties will be under a Winter Storm Warning as the storm approaches.
The storm is expected to begin around daybreak today and snow will fall for several hours.
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“Then there will be quite a bit of rain in the afternoon and evening, maybe a half-inch before it switches back over to snow,” Adams said.
Strong winds are scheduled to arrive with the heaviest snow on Thursday. Gusts could reach 35 mph by Thursday evening.
“Driving will be an issue for a lot of people,” Adams added.
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety is urging drivers to check the latest road conditions by calling 511 or checking safetravelusa.com/sd/.
Snow will taper off Friday morning, and cold air is expected to arrive after the winter blast with an overnight low Friday of 6 below zero and a high Saturday of 10.
During winter storms, the city of Mitchell requires vehicles to be removed from Emergency Snow Routes when the city receives 2 inches or more of snow. Vehicles not removed by owners will be ticketed and towed from those areas and plowing will continue until the snow stops and the streets are cleared curb to curb.
From then, plowing will take place on east-west streets and north-south streets, with vehicles required to be removed from the streets. Downtown, or District A, snow removal takes place after 11 p.m. following the end of the storm, and no parking is allowed until streets are cleared curb to curb.
