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Unsettled Weather in the West; Wintry Mix and Ice Accumulation Possible in Iowa and Vicinity

Significant low elevation rain and higher elevation snow is expected across central California and the Pacific Northwest into the Rockies through the weekend. A wintry mix and some ice accumulation will impact portions of the Central Plains through the Upper Midwest through Saturday. Widespread rain is forecast across the Southern Plains into the Mid-Mississippi and Ohio valleys this weekend. Read More >

Overview

After a relatively quiet and warm start to winter, the first significant winter storm to impact the area occurred from December 24-27th, with the greatest impacts on Dec 25-26th. The first wave of snow, rain, and freezing rain moved in from the south during the early morning hours of December 24th and initially brought rain to the region. The rain turned to snow during the morning of December 24th for central portions of SD (1-4" of snow accumulated), but remained rain or freezing rain over eastern SD and into Minnesota. That first period of precipitation came to an end during the evening hours on December 24th. 

The next wave of precipitation arrived on Christmas Day from the east. This was due to a low pressure system developing in Iowa (seen in the loop to the right), leading to easterly winds pushing ample moisture and precipitation into the area. The moisture and precipitation stretched all of the way southeast to Florida. As the precipitation moved into the area, the leading edge fell as snow before quickly switching over to sleet and freezing rain. There was just enough cold air in place to allow the snow to last longer over central SD, but eventually nearly all locations received a wintry mix of precipitation. While this initial precipitation was falling, northerly winds were gusting to 40-60 mph across the area. This produced blizzard conditions across portions of central SD, where the precipitation stayed snow the longest. The precipitation continued Christmas night and into December 26th, with primarily rain over eastern SD, freezing rain over north central SD, and snow over south central SD.  The precipitation gradually came to an end on December 27th as the low pressure system departed. 

With the abundant moisture with this system, liquid equivalent precipitation totals (rain plus melting down the snow, sleet, and freezing rain) exceeded an inch over much of northeast SD. The highest totals were in Roberts, Grant, and Marshall counties, where liquid equivalent values were over 2 inches. In fact, a record daily precipitation was recorded on both December 25th (1.43") and 26th (1.17") in Sisseton, SD.  Freezing rain accumulations on trees and elevated surfaces over the Prairie Coteau and westward into north central SD were between 0.1" and 0.5" on elevated surfaces. Finally, for snowfall/sleet amounts, totals ranged from 2-4" over northern portions of the James River Valley and western side of the Prairie Coteau to 8-15" over Lyman, Jones, and Stanley counties. 

The storm led to the closure of I-90 during the afternoon of December 25th and continuing into the morning hours of December 26th. In addition, "No Travel Advised" designations were provided across some state and county roads. 

Surface Analysis Loop from 6pm December 24th to 6am December 27th, 2023
Surface Weather Map showing the low pressure system that rotated through the Upper Mississippi Valley and led to the wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow across the region. The loop goes from from 6pm December 24th to 6am December 27th, 2023
Ice accumulation on a car in Eureka, SD - Photo by Kelly Serr (NWS Aberdeen) Ice accumulation on the trees at NWS Aberdeen - Taken at 12:42 am on Dec 26, 2023 (Photo by NWS Aberdeen) I-90 being closed during the afternoon on December 25th in Jones County SD.  (Photo by Jones County EM - Facebook)
Ice accumulation on a car in Eureka, SD (Photo by Kelly Serr) Ice accumulation on the trees at NWS Aberdeen - Taken at 12:42 am on Dec 26, 2023 (Photo by NWS Aberdeen) I-90 being closed during the afternoon on December 25th in Jones County SD.  (Photo by Jones County EM - Facebook)
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