Sioux Falls could see ‘near whiteout’ conditions Tuesday. Here’s what may be coming.

It may be a “near whiteout” in Sioux Falls on Tuesday as strong winds up to 53 mph and blowing snow grip the area, according to a storm watch packet from the Sioux Falls National Weather Service (NWS).

While many factors surrounding the storm remain uncertain, including total precipitation amounts and when rain will become snow, here’s what to know and how to keep yourself safe during Tuesday’s winter weather advisory, which is in effect from 3 p.m. Tuesday to 3 a.m. Wednesday.

How cold will it be Tuesday?

After a weekend of temperatures in the high 50s and low 60s, the temperature is set to drop nearly 15 degrees between Monday and Tuesday, according to the NWS weekly weather forecast.

Tuesday’s temperature is set to fall to around 34 degrees by 5 p.m., according to the NWS weekly forecast.

Temperatures will remain in the mid-30s to mid-40s throughout the rest of the week, according to the NWS.

How much will it snow in Sioux Falls Tuesday?

Tuesday’s winter storm is expected to be a mix of rain and snow, according to a storm watch packet from the NWS. Light rain and drizzle will hit the area Monday night and will most likely transition to snow around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

The NWS weekly weather forecast projects snowfall to accumulate less than half an inch, with “patchy blowing snow” likely to occur after 5 p.m.

While the final accumulation amount may be low, a combination of snow and strong winds will create a potential for “near whiteout to whiteout conditions,” according to the NWS storm watch packet.

Whiteout conditions most commonly occur during storms that “produce a drier, more powdery snow,” according to the NWS. During whiteouts, snow is blown around, reducing visibility for drivers.

Additionally, roadway conditions are expected to deteriorate “due to falling temperatures creating slick spots, and due to blowing and drifting snow,” according to the NWS.

More: Check out these throwback snow, winter weather photos in Sioux Falls

How do I protect myself from strong winds?

Winds in Sioux Falls should peak at 53 mph Tuesday, with “occasional gusts” up to 60 mph, according to the NWS.

“So (those strong winds) can certainly cause some tree branches to come down at times, so that’s definitely something that could be an impact there,” Sioux Falls NWS meteorologist Andrew Samet said in an interview with the Argus Leader.

Strong gusts will continue into Wednesday afternoon before eventually tapering off, according to the NWS.

To protect your home during high winds, the NWS recommends securing loose outside objects, doors and windows, according to a post from the NWS on X.

If you have to work in high winds, the NWS recommends avoiding “high wind exposure areas,” bracing yourself if you’re exposed to high winds and be aware of objects that may move, according to the post.

If driving in high winds, the NWS recommends driving with two hands on the wheel, bracing for crosswinds, watching for flying objects and reducing distractions, according to the post.

Samet said drivers should be careful “especially during the evening commute.”

“That could not only, you know, still fly those branches around, but it will also reduce visibility on the roads if it’s currently snowing at that time,” Samet said. “So you definitely want to use extra caution, take it slow, leave plenty of space between the cars around them and kind of just use that extra caution and not feel like they’re in a rush.”

Could the NWS forecast change?

Forecasters remain steadfast that the potential for strong winds will not change, according to the NWS.

Precipitation is another story.

Forecasters list confidence in “timing of precipitation” at a medium and “rain to snow transition timing” confidence at low, according to the NWS. However, forecasters are certain that the combination of precipitation and strong winds will create potential impacts.

The NWS will hold another weather briefing at 5 p.m. Monday.

More: Sioux Falls set to experience extreme cold this week. Here’s how to protect yourself:

Here is the NWS weekly forecast:

Monday afternoon: Mostly cloudy with highs near 60 degrees. Winds around 15 mph with gusts reaching around 25 mph.

Monday night: A chance of sprinkles and a slight drizzle before midnight. Chance of sprinkles between midnight and 1 a.m. and a chance of drizzle after 1 a.m. Cloudy with lows near 41 degrees. Winds 5 to 10 mph with gusts reaching around 20 mph.

Tuesday: Mix of rain and snow. Patchy, blowing snow likely to occur after 5 p.m. Temperature will reach around 34 degrees by 5 p.m. Winds 15 to 25 mph will increase to 25 to 35 mph by the afternoon, gusting as high as 50 mph. Precipitation chances are 80% and less than a half inch of snow is likely.

Tuesday night: Snow likely before midnight. Patchy, blowing snow to occur before 9 p.m. Cloudy with lows around 22 degrees. Winds 30 to 35 mph with gusts reaching around 55 mph. Precipitation chances are 70%, with new snow accumulation predicted around less than a half inch.

Wednesday: Mostly cloudy in the morning before gradually clearing. Highs near 36 degrees. Winds from 25 to 30 mph decreasing to around 15 to 20 mph in the afternoon. Wind gusts as high as 45 mph.

Wednesday night: Mostly clear with lows near 19 degrees. Winds from 5 to 10 mph will become “light and variable” in the evening. Wind gusts as high as 20 mph.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Winter storm weather forecast: Strong wind, snow in Sioux Falls