Blizzard Warning Issued for West-Central Minnesota and Northeastern South Dakota; 10-15 Inches of Snow Expected

Source: NOAA · West-Central Minnesota and Northeastern South Dakota

This alert is no longer in effect.

NOAA issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).

Areazine synthesizes this NWS weather alert directly from NOAA's official public data feed. See our methodology for full source attribution and refresh cadence.

The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for parts of Minnesota and South Dakota, effective Sunday, with whiteout conditions and up to 15 inches of snow forecast.

Read this weather record in 30 seconds

Record type
Blizzard Warning
Affected area
West-Central Minnesota and Northeastern South Dakota
Issued
April 6, 2026
Issuing authority
NWS Aberdeen SD

Winter notices differ by expected impact and timing. The original notice carries the forecast window and any travel guidance for the named area.

Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in West-Central Minnesota and Northeastern South Dakota.

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Aberdeen, SD, has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of west-central Minnesota and northeastern South Dakota. This alert follows a Winter Storm Warning that will be in effect prior to the onset of blizzard conditions. The alert is classified with a severity of 'Extreme' and a certainty of 'Likely'.

Affected Areas

The following counties are included in the warning area:

  • Minnesota: Big Stone and Traverse Counties.
  • South Dakota: Day, Marshall, and Roberts Counties.

Expected Conditions

Significant winter weather hazards are expected throughout the duration of this event:

  • Snow Accumulation: Total snow accumulations between 10 and 15 inches.
  • Wind Speeds: During the Winter Storm Warning, winds will gust as high as 40 mph. During the Blizzard Warning, gusts are expected to reach up to 45 mph.
  • Visibility: Widespread blowing snow will lead to whiteout conditions, making travel extremely dangerous or impossible.
  • Additional Hazards: Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Timeline

  • Winter Storm Warning: In effect from 1:00 PM Saturday to 3:00 AM CDT Sunday.
  • Blizzard Warning: In effect from 3:00 AM to 7:00 PM CDT Sunday.

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle as part of a winter survival kit. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle.

For the latest road conditions, residents can use the following resources:

  • Minnesota: Visit 511mn.org or call 5-1-1.
  • South Dakota: Call 5-1-1.

Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about this NWS weather alert.

What is this NWS weather alert about?
The National Weather Service has issued a Blizzard Warning for parts of Minnesota and South Dakota, effective Sunday, with whiteout conditions and up to 15 inches of snow forecast.
Which agency issued this alert?
This alert was issued by NOAA. The original notice is available at the source link at the bottom of this article.
How severe is this alert?
This alert is classified as "high" severity. Take precautions and monitor for updates.
What area is affected?
This alert affects West-Central Minnesota and Northeastern South Dakota. Check with NOAA for the most current geographic scope.
Where can I find more Weather Alerts updates?
Browse the full Weather Alerts feed on Areazine at areazine.com/weather/ for the latest updates from NOAA and other agencies.