Ice Storm Developing In Northern Plains

For the second day in a row, icy conditions will develop across parts of thenorthern Plains. A powerful storm system which slammed California with heavyrain, snow, and gusty winds is still spinning over the Rockies. Precipitationis wrapping around the low pressure center, sending rain into Nebraska and thewestern Dakotas this morning.With cold air still in place near the surface, any rain that falls across theregion will freeze on contact. Very hazardous road conditions will result asthe ice builds up over the course of the day. Sleet and freezing rain will alsospread eastward toward Sioux Falls and Bismarck later in the day.

By tonight, the storm system will begin to emerge in the Plains. Freezing rainwill spread across the rest of the Dakotas into parts of Minnesota and Iowa.

Some places will receive between one quarter and one half an inch of ice, whichis more than enough to bring down trees and power lines.