Winter Storm Update

Written by Shawn Cable Wednesday, 29 February 2012 05:42

Weather Alerts

A major blizzard continues to rage across much of central and northern South Dakota, western and central Minnesota and parts of southern North Dakota this morning. Heavy snowfall combined with 30-40 mpg wind gusts will create whiteout blizzard conditions for much of the day. I-29 is closed from Watertown to Fargo and travel is not advised across much of central and northeast South Dakota.

In Sioux Falls: After a night of thunderstorms and heavy rain, temps will quickly drop to below freezing this morning causing roads to become icy very quickly. Light snow and blowing snow will continue through early afternoon with around an inch of accumulation possible.

Feb 28/29 Rain and Snow Totals

Written by Shawn Cable Wednesday, 29 February 2012 04:05

Here are the latest rain/snow totals as of 3am Wednesday. I’ll update as things change. Thanks to the National Weather Service offices in Aberdeen and Sioux Falls for compiling these reports.

Major winter storm to bring rain, ice, thunder and blizzard conditions

Written by Shawn Cable Tuesday, 28 February 2012 05:14

Update: 5:33pm Tuesday

Areas of sleet, rain and snow across central and northern South Dakota will quickly change to very heavy snow late this afternoon and ealry this evening. Snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour possible.

In Sioux Falls, rain continues with scattered icy spots likely. Over 0.8 inches of rain has already fallen across the metro area.

Sioux Falls:
Rain and scattered areas of freezing rain will continue through this evening. There could even be an isolated non-severe thunderstorm or two along or south of I-90. Severe storms with a slight tornado risk are possible just south of Sioux City, Iowa. A Tornado Watch is in effect for parts of Nebraska.

Rain will eventually change to snow late tonight and continue through tomorrow. An inch of liquid precip is possible but we’ll only get about 1-3 inches of snow. Strong wind gusts of 25-35 mph late tonight and tomorrow will create blowing snow.

Aberdeen/Watertown:
Aberdeen: Blizzard Warning until 6pm Wednesday
Watertown: Winter Storm Warning until 6pm Wednesday
Snow  will develop quickly by early evening with heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour. Wind will quickly increase to 30-40 mph creating blowing snow which will reduce visibility to near zero. Heavy snow and blowing snow will continue throug tonight and tomorrow. 10-15 inches or more is possible.

Pierre:
Blizzard Warning until 6pm Wednesday
Snow  will develop quickly by early evening with heavy snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour. Wind will quickly increase to 30-40 mph creating blowing snow which will reduce visibility to near zero. Heavy snow and blowing snow will continue throug tonight and tomorrow. 5-6-9 inches or more is possible.

Major winter storm on the way Tue-Wed

Written by Shawn Cable Monday, 27 February 2012 05:43

Warnings/Advisories

Updated at 4:10pm on Monday

Here is the latest on a major winter storm that will impact the area Tuesday through Wednesday. A few changes to note: First, the latest models are yanking the warmer air further north. This means that Sioux Falls and parts of the I-90 corridor will not get as much snow. There will be, however, areas of freezing rain, heavy rain and even a few thunderstorms. We’ve also slowed the system a bit. While there will be light snow and freezing drizzle on Tuesday morning, the blizzard conditions are not expected across northern and central South Dakota until sometime Tuesday afternoon. Once it starts, blizzard conditions will continue through Tuesday night and Wednesday.

Here’s a regional breakdown:

Sioux Falls, I-90 and areas south:
Winter Weather Advisory from 6am until Noon Tuesday
Snow and freezing rain are likely across the region on Tuesday morning.  Temps will warm enough for the precip to change to all rain Tuesday afternoon and evening. We could even see a thunderstorm or two. Late Tuesday night and Wednesday the rain will change to snow. 1-3 inches of accumulation is possible. Strong wind gusts to 30-40 mph will create blowing snow at times. There will be a significant amount of moisture.  Liquid precip amounts will be in the .5 to 1.0″ range.

Watertown:
Winter Storm Warning in effect from Noon Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday
Light snow and freezing drizzle will fall across the region on Tuesday morning. A mix of rain, sleet and snow will fall through most of the day Tuesday, changing to all snow by later Tuesday afternoon or Tuesday night. Heavy snow will continue Tuesday night and Wednesday. Snow totals from 9-14 inches are possible in places. Wind gusts from 30 to 40 mph will create blowing snow which will reduce visibility to near zero at times.

Aberdeen:
Blizzard Warning from 3pm Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday
Light snow and freezing drizzle will fall across the region on Tue AM. Mixed precip will change to heavy snow Tuesday afternoon and continue through Tuesday night and Wednesday.   Snow totals from 9-14 inches are possible. Wind gusts from 30 to 40 mph will create blowing snow which will reduce visibility to zero through Wednesday afternoon.

Pierre:
Blizzard Warning from 3pm Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday
Light snow and freezing drizzle will fall across the region on Tue AM. Mixed precip will change to heavy snow Tuesday afternoon and continue through Tuesday night and Wednesday.   Snow totals from 7-12 inches are possible. Wind gusts from 30 to 40 mph will create blowing snow which will reduce visibility to zero through Wednesday afternoon.

Marshall, Pipestone, Brookings:
Winter Weather Advisory from 6am Tuesday until 6pm Wednesday
Snow and freezing rain are likely across the region on Tuesday morning.  One to two tenths of an inch of ice accumulation are possible. Temps will warm enough for the precip to change to all rain Tuesday afternoon. Late Tuesday evening the rain will change to snow. 4-7 inches of accumulation is possible. Strong wind gusts to 30-40 mph will create blowing snow at times. There will be a significant amount of moisture.  Liquid precip amounts will be in the .5 to 1.0″ range.

Thursday (2/23) snowfall totals

Written by Shawn Cable Thursday, 23 February 2012 08:46

Here are some preliminary snowfall totals… They keep coming in and are continually being updated. I’ll update the list as they come in. Thanks to the Sioux Falls and Aberdeen National Weather Service offices for compiling these totals.

3:32 am on Thursday 2/24/2012