National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

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

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"
nws logo Media use of NWS Web News Stories is encouraged!
Please acknowledge the NWS as the source of any news information accessed from this site.
nws logo