Interstate 29 reopens in SD, but no travel advised in southeast, southern Minn.

Numerous jackknifed and stuck vehicles, heavy snow and strong winds made travel through the corridor impossible earlier in the day. “No travel” advisories are also posted for much of the entire southeast part of South Dakota and parts of southern Minnesota. Travelers were also urged to check road conditions before leaving in Iowa and Nebraska.

Drivers are cautioned that the heavy snow from Monday’s blizzard has been compacted onto the roadway creating extremely slippery conditions on I-29 and highways in the southeastern part of the state. 

Based on information from the National Weather Service, conditions are expected to worsen as the storm continues to hang around over the area. Additional snowfall and continued strong winds are likely to make travel hazardous for the rest of Monday and possibly overnight.

The storm is expected to drop about up to 7 inches in the Sioux Falls area, but heavier amounts to the south and into southern Minnesota where up to 14 inches of snow is possible.

What’s causing problem is also wind gusts of up to 50 mph in the region.

“We understand people want to be on the roads and about their business, but we ask for patience while the storm moves through this area of the state,’’ said Greg Fuller, director of operations. “Traveling in these hazardous conditions puts your life and the lives of first responders in danger.”

Motorists are being asked to postpone travel plans in this area until Tuesday, Jan. 23.