Tricky weather causes new hazards

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) A car lies on its hood in the ditch after leaving the roadway about halfway between Spencer and Dickens after hitting a snow drift blocking the roadway Friday afternoon. The young woman driver and her six month old child escaped unharmed. [Order this photo]

The treacherous roads and sub-zero wind chills are back.

Arctic high pressure brought much colder air in for the weekend as temperatures fell into the single digits and teens below zero in the overnight hours leading into Saturday.

Strong winds carried some snow across Clay County roads Friday afternoon and contributed to a single-car accident at 2:23 p.m. on county road B24, about halfway between Spencer and Dickens.

Responding deputies said the driver and her infant daughter were westbound when the car hit a snowdrift, went into the ditch, rolled and came to a rest on its top.

The occupants were unharmed.

Gusty northwest winds began to tail off at about 3 p.m., but areas of blowing snow were possible through sunset Friday.

(Photo by Randy M. Cauthron) Clay County Sheriff's Deputy Dennis Linn talks with the driver of a vehicle who happened upon a car, upside down in a ditch between Spencer and Dickens on B-24 Friday afternoon. Blowing snow covered then entire west bound lane of the roadway near the scene of the accident, creating a large obstacle for drivers. [Order this photo]

"However as temperatures fall below zero, even the decreasing northwest winds were going to create bitterly cold wind chills of 20 below to 30 below wind chills ة through midday Saturday," according to the National Weather Service Office in Sioux Falls, S.D.

Meteorologists issued a wind chill advisory for the area until noon Saturday.

"Those planning to venture outdoors should dress warmly, making sure that all exposed skin is covered," a statement from Sioux Falls said.

Highs of around 10 degrees were expected Sunday and Monday, with lows at, or just under, the zero-degree mark in the nighttime hours. More seasonal weather should arrive by Wednesday.