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Heavy Rain in the Appalachians and Central Gulf Coast; Heat Continues in the West; Monitoring the Tropics

Heavy to excessive rainfall over the southern Appalachians and portions of the central Gulf Coast may bring areas of flooding today. Hot temperatures are in place through today across much of the western U.S. and New England. Tropical Storm Erin is forecast to become a Major Hurricane this weekend as it moves across the central Atlantic Ocean. Monitor future forecasts for any East Coast impacts. Read More >

Overview

A deep low pressure system tracked across the Northern Plains in the days following Thanksgiving, and produced widespread impacts as it went. Freezing drizzle began for some on Thanksgiving Thursday and Friday. Heavy, wet snow tracked from south to north across the area late Friday afternoon and persisted through the overnight and into Saturday. Meanwhile, wind gusts of 30-50 mph further reduced visibilities, greatly at times. Road conditions deteriorated quickly through the event, and despite many SDDOT "No Travel Advised" statements as well as the closure of I-90 from Chamberlain to the Wyoming border Friday night through Sunday morning, several accidents occurred. Additionally, a plane crashed in rural Brule County shortly after taking off from Chamberlain Saturday afternoon. 9 people were killed and 3 were seriously injured in the crash. By the time the storm let up Sunday morning, anywhere from 2-16 inches of snow and around 0.5-1.5" of liquid equivalent had fallen. Aberdeen's 16.6" storm total was the largest since February 20-21 of 2011 (17.7"), and 4.1" off the all-time 3-day record of 20.7" (Nov 23-25, 1993).  

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Surface weather map at 6 pm on Saturday, Nov 30th
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