Powerful winter storm hits Plains bringing ice and blizzard conditions

Blizzard conditions and icing continue over parts of the northern Plains Tuesday into Wednesday, making travel nearly impossible as a powerful winter storm continues to impact the region.

A powerful winter storm over the central U.S. will continue to bring snow and ice to the central and northern Plains through Wednesday morning. The WeatherRadar shows this impressive system sending blizzard conditions and freezing rain across the Plains.

Heavy snow and strong winds will produce blizzard conditions across South Dakota and Nebraska through tonight. In this region, a foot or more of snow could fall through Wednesday morning, making post-Christmas travel difficult if not impossible along I-80 and I-90. The WindRadar shows winds gusting upwards of 50 mph, so whiteouts are a significant concern.

Blizzard warnings stretch from northeastern Colorado and northwestern Kansas up into Nebraskas and into the western half of South Dakota. Cities such as North Platte, Neb., Sturgis, S.D., and Goodland, Kan., are experiencing whiteout conditions.

Northeastern South Dakota, eastern North Dakota, and northwestern Minnesota are under ice storm warnings. Additional accumulations in Fargo and Grand Forks, N.D., and Aberdeen, S.D., could amount to up to a quarter of an inch. Total accumulations up to three-quarters of an inch may lead to significant power outages. Parts of I-29 in North Dakota are already closed due to ice.

Winter storm warnings, advisories, and high wind warnings are in place along the periphery of the Blizzard Warnings from the Colorado Front Range to Minnesota. Due to the winter storm, travel may be challenging in Colorado Springs, Colo., Hastings, Neb., Bismarck, N.D., Huron, S.D., and International Falls, Minn.

If you must venture out, ensure you have an emergency kit with food, water, and warm clothing. Also, keep an eye on the WeatherRadar for the latest on the winter storm and check in with our team of expert meteorologists for the latest forecasts.