SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The big storm coming to South Dakota may be worse than first predicted.
The National Weather Service has replaced the Winter Storm Watch that kicks in Thursday evening with a Blizzard Watch, which means the storm could bring white out conditions, along with heavy snow.
The Blizzard Watch will be in effect from Thursday evening into Friday afternoon for most of South Dakota, southern and central Minnesota, northwest Iowa and northern Nebraska.
Rain and snow will start falling late Thursday morning, or early in the afternoon, changing to all snow Thursday night into Friday. Snow will be heavy at times before ending Friday night.
Total storm accumulations of 6 to 12 inches are likely with higher amounts possible.
Sioux Falls Meteorologist Todd Heitkamp say the snow is not looking at being as heavy and wet as originally forecast. He says the snow will be blowing around and adds that we shouldn't be surprised if the winter storm watch is replaced by a blizzard watch.
Winds will increase from the north around 20 to 35 miles an hour Thursday night into Friday. Visibility is expected to be less than half a mile while the snow is falling.
Heitkamp says the weather pattern is changing in the upper Midwest. He says for the longest time there's been a ridge of high pressure here with low pressures dominating both coasts. He says that pattern is breaking down giving the northern Plains a better chance of precipitation in March and April.