* timing... areas of rain and snow are possible by Saturday afternoon and evening... with snow developing and becoming heavy by Saturday night. Snow will continue through Monday morning.

* Winds/visibility... north winds will increase across central South Dakota Saturday night into the 20 to 30 mph range... With gusts to around 40 mph. These winds will gradually spread east across the area through Sunday and increase even more by Sunday afternoon... .reaching speeds from 25 to 35 mph with gusts over mph. These winds combined with moderate to heavy snow will likely produce blizzard conditions.

* Snow/ice accumulations... potentially a foot or more of snow over northeast South Dakota and west central Minnesota... tapering off to between 8 and 12 inches in the James River Valley. Lighter amounts expected over central South Dakota. These snow amounts are preliminary and based off current storm track information. Any shift in the storm track could significantly change the area of heaviest snowfall.

Precautionary/preparedness actions...

A Winter Storm Watch means there is a potential for significant snow... sleet... or ice accumulations that may impact travel. Continue to monitor the latest forecasts.