Spring snowstorm warnings have been issued for most of the Dakotas and some parts of Minnesota, where up to 20 inches of snowfall have already snarled travel and closed schools and government buildings.
Forecasters in South Dakota have urged citizens in the northwestern not to travel, while commuters in other parts of state have been warned to take special caution. Official no travel advisories have been released for regions west of Bismarck, Center and parts of Carrington and Devils Lake.
The South Dakota Department of Transportation closed I-90 from Exit 67 at Ellsworth Air Force Base to Exit 110 at Wall, the Associated Press reported. Secondary roads will most likely become impassable due to drifting and blowing snow.
Gov. Dennis Daugaard announced on Monday that some schools in the area have been closed, or will start late on Tuesday. Many of the government offices in nine western counties will not open for the next few days.
Snow is slated to continue falling in parts of eastern Montana, northeast Wyoming, northern Nebraska and the western Dakotas through Monday, the Weather Channel reported. Snow will end in the Dakotas, but will persist in northern Minnesota.
Freezing rain will most likely fall in parts of northern and central Minnesota. By Tuesday, snow and rain will have tapered off for most parts of the northern Great Lakes.
Blizzard or near-blizzard conditions will affect most of the Dakotas. Southeast Montana and western Minnesota will see the harshest weather, however, with heavy snowfall and high winds into Tuesday.
Most areas in this region should expect to see sub-zero windchills well into Tuesday evening.
