Tanya Aldrich runs a snow blower to remove a little snow last week in Wessington Springs

A major winter storm forecast to bring heavy snow and strong winds across much of South Dakota will most likely hamper travel from Wednesday (December 23) through Saturday (December 26)… changing the Christmas plans of a lot of people.

The National Weather Service said the storm will begin this afternoon (December 23) with snow in much of the state and freezing rain in the southeast. “This is a major winter storm that is going to hamper, if not cripple, travel through much of the region,” said Todd Heitkamp of the NWS in Sioux Falls.

The Dept. of Public Safety reminds travelers to take the following precautions:

• Travel during the day and use highly traveled roads and highways when possible
• Keep family and friends informed of your travel plans and route
• Call 511 or visit www.safetravelusa.com for road conditions
• Wear a seatbelt. Keep a winter survivial kit in your car and a charged cell phone, but don’t rely on the phone to get you out of trouble
• Consider stocking food and water if you are in a remote area of the state
• Be flexible and cancel travel plans if weather conditions warrant

The True Dakotan plans on posting photographs of the storm (as possible) during the next few days.

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