Blizzard Warnings Posted from Colorado to Minnesota

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Blizzard warnings are posted from Colorado to Minnesota as a storm develops that could rival last month's bomb cyclone.

The National Weather Service says up to 2 ½ feet of snow could fall in parts of eastern South Dakota and southwestern Minnesota.

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has closed state government offices in 52 counties. Numerous schools around the state have closed. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says "the National Guard stands ready" to rescue any stranded motorists.

A bomb cyclone is an unusual weather phenomenon in which air pressure drops rapidly and a storm strengthens explosively. Last month's storm led to massive flooding in the Midwest that caused billions of dollars in damage.

Forecasters say this week's storm will swell rivers again, but maybe not as much.