The state of South Dakota has already moved lots of emergency equipment into position including large tracked machines called snow cats for rescue missions. They'll be located in a number of communities across the state including Webster, Milbank, Arlington and Pierre. Sheltering materials have also been staged in communities along Interstate 90. It's all these early preparations that have drivers also trying to plan ahead.

Mike McGillivray was in Sioux Falls shopping Saturday, but the coming storm has him headed back home to Madison early.

Mike McGillivray says, "I thought it was supposed to hit after midnight so we're going to head back before it gets icy."

Mike was stuck out in the early November storm that trapped travelers in Western South Dakota and all along Interstate 90. This time early preparations and warnings from the State are cautioning drivers like Mike to avoid travel all together.

Kristi Turman with the Department Of Public Safety says, "As the sun starts to go down and this storm starts to ramp up, be home. Be off the road. Do not travel."

A number of state agencies have teamed up with their rescue resources in case drivers do risk travel, but the State Department of Public Safety says with the temperatures this storm might bring, it's not a risk worth taking.

Kristi Turman says, "If for some unfortunate reason a traveler does get stuck out in these temperatures because they are going to be bitterly cold temperatures, that's going to be a life threatening situation."

Mike says the storms of November have taught him that this time, that's something he'll avoid.

Mike McGillivary/Madison "We'll probably stay at home, making Christmas cookies or something."