STURGIS, S.D. – Winter Storm Diaz continues its grip on western South Dakota Thursday as travel, schools, government offices and more remain paralyzed.
The National Weather Service in Rapid City ended up extending their blizzard warning to Friday morning as strong northwest winds and additional snowfall extended into a third full day.
The South Dakota Department of Public Safety says I-90 remains closed between Ellsworth Air Force Base and Mitchell. Truck parking is full in Chamberlain and the Love’s Truck Stop at Ellsworth. The DOT is asking that semi drivers consider long-term parking options in areas east and west of the closure.
I-90 is open between Wyoming and Piedmont, but there’s a no travel advisory. In fact, there is no travel advised on a majority of the roads in the northern hills and northwestern South Dakota due to blowing and drifting snow and poor visibility.
The Department of Transportation says “many vehicles have become stuck and stranded in an attempt to travel on these state highways to avoid interstate closures. These vehicles will create hazards for snowplow operators and may delay getting the sections of highway cleared.”
In Sturgis, Public Works again put out the no travel advisory Thursday morning because of the additional snowfall and gusty winds that led to heavy overnight drifting around town.
Many schools are closed again today – including Meade 46-1 and Rapid City Public – and some government offices are also shut down.
Snow totals continue to increase and vary across the northern hills. There have been reports of 14-18 inches in Sturgis and 18-20 inches in Spearfish. Forecasters say these are estimates only due to the heavy drifting that’s been occurring.
