National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Above Average Temperatures for the West and Central Plains; Lake Effect Snow Continues

Well above average temperatures will prevail across the Plains and the West Coast this week, while a cold front will bring Arctic air to the South and East Coast Thursday and Friday. Lake effect snow is forecast downwind of the Great Lakes through Thursday along and behind the Arctic front, as well as mountain snow across the Southern Appalachians. Read More >

Overview

Beginning on the evening of the 26th of December, a strong low pressure system lifted up from southeast Colorado/southwest Kansas and into eastern Nebraska/western Iowa and finally into Wisconsin on Friday the 28th of December.  This generated two distinct rounds of snowfall and mixed precipitation.  The first occurred the evening of the 26th and dumped snow mostly on the western two thirds of the South Dakota, along with some freezing rain in the central part of the state.  The second affected primarily the eastern half of the state with areas along and east of the Coteau being the hardest hit.  Along with the second wave of snow, very strong winds created whiteout blizzard conditions for most of the northeast quadrant of South Dakota.  Widespread storm total snowfalls of 6-12" were recorded across much of the state. 

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Snowfall Reports Over the Duration of the Storm
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