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Winter Returns Across the Northern Tier; Record Warmth for the Southwest

A large high pressure system will usher in cold air for this first day of March across the northern Plains, Great Lakes, Northeast and mid-Atlantic. Some wintry precipitation may evolve across the mid-Mississippi Valley, Ohio Valley and mid-Atlantic through Monday. Meanwhile, record warmth will spread across the Southwest, southern Plains through early this week. Read More >

Overview

A low pressure system moving through the Central Plains brought an initial wintry mix of freezing rain and snow to the area on Friday night.  The freezing rain led to slick roads, especially over east central South Dakota Saturday Morning. Meanwhile, heavy snow was falling farther to the west and continued throughout the day on Saturday.  Areas north of Highway 212 received 6 to 12 inches of snow by the time the snow ended Saturday night. South of Highway 212, snowfall amounts were generally in the 3 to 6 inch range.  In addition to the snow, wind increased through the day on Saturday, with gusts in the 30-45 mph range.  The combination of the falling snow and blowing and drifting snow led to poor travel conditions across northern South Dakota and west central Minnesota. 

Observed snowfall amounts (Friday Night through Sunday Morning - 3/8-10/2019) across northeast South Dakota and west central Minnesota
Observed snowfall amounts (Friday Night through Sunday Morning - 3/8-10/2019) across northeast South Dakota and west central Minnesota
WPC Surface Pressure Chart showing the low pressure system moving from the Central Plains to the Great Lakes region. Hourly radar loop from Friday night into Saturday night Image
WPC Surface Pressure Chart showing the low pressure system moving from the Central Plains to the Great Lakes region.  Hourly radar loop from Friday night into Saturday night SD DOT Road Conditions at 6 PM CST on March 9th (Saturday), highlighting a large area of "No Travel Advised"
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