Overview
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A large storm brought heavy rain and historic late season snowfall to the Black Hills region May 20-22, 2019. A powerful low pressure system slowly moved from the Four Corners region northward through the Plains during this time, leading to a prolonged period of precipitation to western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming. |
 Enjoying the snow with a cup of coffee south of Deadwood! Photo by Michele S |
Snow
A list of snowfall reports are included below the maps
Snowfall across the region Detailed snowfall map of the Black Hills
INCHES LOCATION ST COUNTY TIME
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25.00 2 S PACTOLA RESERVOIR SD PENNINGTON 0823 AM
22.00 1 SW ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 0812 AM
20.00 3 E DEADWOOD SD LAWRENCE 1039 AM
19.00 HAYWARD SD PENNINGTON 0820 AM
19.00 HISEGA SD PENNINGTON 0820 AM
19.00 LEAD SD LAWRENCE 0100 PM
18.80 JOHNSON SIDING SD PENNINGTON 0119 PM
18.00 4 ENE JOHNSON SIDING SD PENNINGTON 1005 AM
18.00 2 NNE BROWNSVILLE SD LAWRENCE 0846 AM
17.60 3 NE HISEGA SD PENNINGTON 0700 AM
17.00 4 SE ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 1026 AM
16.20 HILL CITY SD PENNINGTON 0800 AM
16.00 2 E GALENA SD LAWRENCE 1024 AM
16.00 1 N HISEGA SD PENNINGTON 0819 AM
15.00 DOWNTOWN CUSTER SD CUSTER 1035 AM
15.00 2 W HAYWARD SD PENNINGTON 1000 AM
15.00 4 NE ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 0638 AM
15.00 5 ENE DOWNTOWN CUSTER SD CUSTER 0620 AM
14.00 4 ESE ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 0830 AM
13.00 4 NE ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 0844 AM
13.00 1 SSE DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0700 AM
12.90 3 SSW HILL CITY SD PENNINGTON 0850 AM
12.50 2 E HISEGA SD PENNINGTON 0815 AM
12.50 5 SW DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY SD PENNINGTON 0700 AM
12.50 MOUNT RUSHMORE SD PENNINGTON 1200 AM
12.00 6 SW BEULAH WY CROOK 0900 AM
12.00 BLACK HAWK SD MEADE 0825 AM
12.00 4 S MYSTIC SD PENNINGTON 0808 AM
12.00 7 NW DEADWOOD SD LAWRENCE 0808 AM
12.00 SUMMERSET SD MEADE 0643 AM
11.80 5 NE ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 0700 AM
11.00 DOWNTOWN CUSTER SD CUSTER 0851 AM
11.00 WHITEWOOD SD LAWRENCE 0845 AM
11.00 1 NW HILL CITY SD PENNINGTON 0820 AM
11.00 2 WNW DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0650 AM
10.00 1 WNW WIND CAVE SD CUSTER 0100 PM
10.00 5 NE ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 0837 AM
9.90 6 W HERMOSA SD CUSTER 0700 AM
9.50 DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0818 AM
9.00 SUMMERSET SD MEADE 0755 AM
9.00 1 NNW PIEDMONT SD MEADE 0730 AM
8.50 3 SE SAINT ONGE SD LAWRENCE 0700 AM
8.50 3 SE SAINT ONGE SD LAWRENCE 0530 AM
8.00 5 W BEULAH WY CROOK 0700 AM
8.00 WRIGHT WY CAMPBELL 1046 AM
8.00 DOWNTOWN GILLETTE WY CAMPBELL 0929 AM
8.00 2 NNW SAINT ONGE SD LAWRENCE 0900 AM
8.00 SAINT ONGE SD LAWRENCE 0849 AM
8.00 1 SE PIEDMONT SD MEADE 0839 AM
8.00 DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0501 AM
7.50 DOWNTOWN GILLETTE WY CAMPBELL 0700 AM
7.00 2 SW DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY SD PENNINGTON 0125 PM
6.20 14 NNW DOWNTOWN GILLETTE WY CAMPBELL 0700 AM
6.20 14 NNW DOWNTOWN GILLETTE WY CAMPBELL 0640 AM
6.00 9 E DEVILS TOWER WY CROOK 0842 AM
6.00 4 S DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY SD PENNINGTON 0741 AM
5.50 19 SW UPTON WY WESTON 0700 AM
4.20 8 W DOWNTOWN GILLETTE WY CAMPBELL 0818 AM
4.00 5 E PORCUPINE SD OGLALA LAKOTA 0740 AM
3.50 2 S DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY SD PENNINGTON 0300 AM
3.00 BOX ELDER SD PENNINGTON 0812 AM
3.00 4 W DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS SD FALL RIVER 0700 AM
3.00 4 NNE SUMMERSET SD MEADE 0700 AM
3.00 4 W DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS SD FALL RIVER 0645 AM
3.00 4 NNE SUMMERSET SD MEADE 0630 AM
2.00 PINE HAVEN WY CROOK 0919 AM
2.00 1 NNE SUNDANCE WY CROOK 1200 AM
1.00 7 WSW FOLSOM SD CUSTER 0630 AM
Records
The snow set many records for daily snowfall and snow so late in the year:
Rapid City NWS:
Daily snowfall records set:
May 20: 1.2"; previous record 1.0" in 1959
May 21: 1.5"; no snow ever recorded on May 21
May 22: 0.5"; no snow ever recorded on May 22
Storm total snowfall (May 20-22): 3.2"
Highest May storm total snowfalls:
14.6" May 3-4, 1905
13.6" May 9-10, 2015
13.3" May 2-3, 2008
11.8" May 6-7, 1950
10.5" May 7-8, 1892
May 2019 snowfall: 6.4"; tied for 10th highest May snowfall
Highest May snowfall: 19.2" in 1892
Latest measurable snowfall in May: 0.2" on May 26, 1893
Latest measurable snowfall for the season: 3.0" on June 13, 1969
Lead:
Daily snowfall record set for May 22: 18.0"; previous record 3.0" in 1957
Storm total snowfall (May 20-22): 19.0"
Highest May storm total snowfalls:
54.5" May 1-2, 2008
41.0" May 12-16, 1916
34.0" May 8-9, 1965 & May 11-14, 1922
May 2019 monthly snowfall: 29.1"; 7th highest May snowfall
Highest May snowfall: 61.6" in 2008
Latest measurable snowfall for the season: 2.0" on June 19, 1972
Spearfish:
Daily snowfall record set for May 22: 9.5"; no snow ever recorded on May 22
Storm total snowfall (May 20-22): 9.5"
Highest May storm total snowfalls:
24.0" May 2-3, 2008 & May 4, 1905
18.0" May 16-17, 1942
16.0" May 8-9, 1927
May 2019 snowfall: 13.3"; 5th highest May snowfall
Highest May snowfall: 31.0" in 1942
Latest measurable snowfall for the season: 0.5" on May 30, 1954
Gillette:
Daily snowfall records set for May 22: 7.0; previous record 0.4" in 1986
Storm total snowfall (May 20-22): 7.5"
Highest May storm total snowfalls:
17.0" May 8-9, 1965
11.0" May 7-8, 1978 & May 3-5, 1912
10.6" May 20-21, 1975
8.0" May 7, 1950
May 2019 snowfall: 12.5"; 2nd highest May snowfall
Highest May snowfall: 17.5" in 1965
Latest measurable snowfall in May: 1.0" on May 31, 1969
Latest measurable snowfall for the season: 3.5" on June 13, 1969
Photos
Click on a picture for a larger image
Snow Pictures
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| Last day of school in Sturgis Photo by Amanda C |
I can't believe it's snowing in Hisega! Photo by Jenn L |
Riding a bike in Lead Photo by Robin L |
Dog looking for a path in the snow near Deadwood Photo by Alison S |
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| Near Devils Tower Photo by Heike B |
Downed trees near Johnson Siding Photo by Alison S |
Snow near Spearfish Photo by Jennifer M |
Spring Creek above Hill City Photo by Heidi C |
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| Over a foot of snow near Ardmore, SD Photo by Dana B |
Over two feet of snow near Pactola! Photo by Michelle V |
Dear Mountain snow Photo by Cathy E |
Snow-laden trees in Summerset, SD Photo by Leilani S |
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| Custer birdhouse Photo by Ann M |
Spearfish birdhouse Photo by Courtney W |
Between Hermosa & Keystone Photo by Tom C |
Snow in Rapid Valley Photo by Steve Z |
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| Snow near Piedmont Photo by Alan A |
Snow on Deadwood Deck Photo by Bill S |
Snow on Hill City patio table Photo by Beverly B |
Snow in Wright, WY Photo by Vickie M |
Flooding Pictures
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| Bad River near Phiilp | Flooding in Bennett County Photo by Jeff Siscoe |
Flooding in Bennett County southwest of Martin Photo by Jeff Siscoe |
Flooding in Bennett County southwest of Martin Photo by Jeff Siscoe |
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| Beet Road in Butte County Photo by Butte County Sheriff |
Stone Lake Rd in Butte County Photo by Butte County Sheriff |
King Horn Rd in Butte County Photo by Butte County Sheriff |
Mail Road in Butte County Photo by Butte County Sheriff |
Valley Road in Butte County Photo by Butte County Sheriff |
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| Near Folsom, SD Photo by Custer County Sheriff |
White River near Interior Photo by Interior Fire Dept |
White River near Interior Photo by Interior Fire Dept |
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| White River near Interior Photo by Elsie Fortune Photography |
White River near Interior Photo by Elsie Fortune Photography |
White River near Interior Photo by Elsie Fortune Photography |
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| Flooding north of Ellsworth AFB Photo by Suzie N. |
Flooding north of Ellsworth AFB Photo by Colten S. |
Flooding north of Ellsworth AFB Photo by Carissa E |
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| Flooding south of Wasta Photo by Kandi D |
Flooding south of Wasta Photo by Kandi D |
Flooding near Quinn, SD Photo by Pennington Co Highway Dept |
Flooding near Quinn, SD Photo by Pennington Co Highway Dept |
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| Highway 44 at Creston, SD (NW of Scenic) Photo by Pennington Co Highway Dept |
Rapid Creek at Creston, SD (NW of Scenic) Photo by Pennington Co Highway Dept |
Cheyenne River at northwest of Scenic Photo by Pennington Co Highway Dept |
Radar
Radar animation from Noon MDT Monday, May 20 through 11 AM MDT Wednesday, May 22
Rain Reports
A list of rainfall reports are included below the map
Rainfall over the region May 20-22
AMOUNT LOCATION ST COUNTY TIME ------ ----------------------- -- -------------- ------- 5.80 6 E MARTIN SD BENNETT 0953 AM 4.25 2 NNW SAINT ONGE SD LAWRENCE 1029 AM 3.60 9 NNW CREIGHTON SD PENNINGTON 0629 AM 3.50 RED SHIRT SD OGLALA LAKOTA 0618 AM 3.45 3 SE SAINT ONGE SD LAWRENCE 0700 AM 3.45 1 SSE DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0700 AM 3.39 3 ENE KYLE SD OGLALA LAKOTA 0700 AM 3.35 TILFORD SD MEADE 0700 AM 3.18 2 SW DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY SD PENNINGTON 0126 PM 3.10 5 E PORCUPINE SD OGLALA LAKOTA 0740 AM 2.94 OELRICHS SD FALL RIVER 0700 AM 2.91 2 WNW DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0700 AM 2.90 3 NE HISEGA SD PENNINGTON 0700 AM 2.65 7 E LAKEVIEW SD TODD 0700 AM 2.54 1 ESE PACTOLA RESERVOIR SD PENNINGTON 0700 AM 2.46 ORAL SD FALL RIVER 0700 AM 2.40 1 ESE WINNER SD TRIPP 0700 AM 2.35 RED OWL SD MEADE 0700 AM 2.23 4 S DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY SD PENNINGTON 0104 PM 2.16 6 ENE NEWELL SD BUTTE 0700 AM 2.12 1 WNW WIND CAVE SD CUSTER 0100 PM 2.04 HILL CITY SD PENNINGTON 0800 AM 2.04 6 SW BEULAH WY CROOK 0700 AM 1.98 3 SSE HARDING SD HARDING 0700 AM 1.88 9 SSE SORUM SD PERKINS 0700 AM 1.80 2 W OPAL SD MEADE 0700 AM 1.79 MOUNT RUSHMORE SD PENNINGTON 1200 AM
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