Officials with the South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are closing the north and southbound lanes of Interstate 29 from the Tea Exit 73 to the Iowa border.
Numerous jackknifed and stuck vehicles, heavy snow and strong winds are making travel through the corridor impossible.
Officials are closing at the Tea Exit as conditions south of there are deteriorating rapidly and there is no place for motorists to get off the Interstate to seek shelter.
No Travel Advisories are also posted for much of the entire southeast area 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 today and possibly overnight.
“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.