February 10-11, 2013 Blizzard

Event Synopsis

A strong surface low pressure system developed over the high plains of Colorado on Saturday afternoon (2/9) then tracked northeastward across Nebraska and into southern Minnesota on Sunday (2/10). Significant moisture drawn up from the south interacted with a seasonably cold airmass over the Dakota's resulting in widespread snowfall beginning Saturday night. Moderate to occasionally heavy snowfall and increasingly strong winds continued on Sunday and Sunday night. The combination very strong north to northwesterly winds and snowfall resulted in widespread blizzard conditions over central and northeastern South Dakota, and west-central Minnesota from late Saturday night through early Monday. Visibility at many locations dropped below one quarter mile for several hours, with intermitent visibility reduced to near zero at times. Interstate 29 was closed from Sioux Falls to Fargo, and Interstate 90 was closed from Sioux Falls to Wall. Travel on other area roadways was difficult if not impossible. Snowfall amounts from this event were very impressive! The highest storm total snowfall amounts occurred over northeastern South Dakota, where 12" to 20" totals were common. A few locally higher amounts around 2 feet were also reported. Snowfall amounts decreased to the south and west - with totals in these areas generally ranging from 2" to 10". However, due to the significant blowing and drifting snow during blizzard events, accurate snowfall measurements were extremely challenging.

The images below depict the visibility restrictions on area roadways. Note the extreme reductions in visibility due to the blizzard conditions.

US Highway 12 - East of Aberdeen, SD (images courtesy of SDDOT)

Interstate 29 - Near Summit, SD (images courtesy of SDDOT)

US Highway 14 - East of Pierre, SD (images courtesy of SDDOT)

A graphical depiction and tabular listing of the preliminary snowfall reports are provided below.

********************STORM TOTAL SNOWFALL********************

LOCATION          STORM TOTAL     TIME/DATE   COMMENTS
                     SNOWFALL           OF
                     /INCHES/   MEASUREMENT

MINNESOTA

...BIG STONE COUNTY...
   ORTONVILLE            12.0   700 AM 2/11
   ARTICHOKE             10.0 1011 PM 2/10

...TRAVERSE COUNTY...
   WHEATON               17.1   700 AM 2/11

SOUTH DAKOTA

...BROWN COUNTY...
   BATH                  14.1   900 AM 2/11
   NWS ABERDEEN          13.2   445 AM 2/11
   WESTPORT              13.0   700 AM 2/11

...BUFFALO COUNTY...
   GANN VALLEY            6.3   700 AM 2/11

...CAMPBELL COUNTY...
   POLLOCK                2.5   706 PM 2/10

...CODINGTON COUNTY...
   2 E WATERTOWN         11.8   700 AM 2/11
   WATERTOWN              9.5   700 AM 2/11

...DAY COUNTY...
   WEBSTER               15.3 1159 AM 2/10
   PICKEREL LAKE STATE   15.0   800 AM 2/11

...DEUEL COUNTY...
   CLEAR LAKE            10.3   700 AM 2/11

...EDMUNDS COUNTY...
   ROSCOE                 8.6   700 AM 2/11
   BOWDLE                 7.0   600 PM 2/10

...FAULK COUNTY...
   1 S CHELSEA           15.0   700 AM 2/11
   SENECA                12.5   700 AM 2/11

...GRANT COUNTY...
   MILBANK               12.0   700 AM 2/11

...HAMLIN COUNTY...
   HAYTI                  7.5   700 AM 2/11

...HAND COUNTY...
   MILLER               10.0    700 AM 2/11

...HUGHES COUNTY...
   1 S PIERRE             6.5   700 AM 2/11
   PIERRE                 5.0   700 AM 2/11

...HYDE COUNTY...
   12 N HIGHMORE         14.0   700 AM 2/11

...JONES COUNTY...
   MURDO                  4.7   700 AM 2/11

...LYMAN COUNTY...
   KENNEBEC               7.0   641 PM 2/10

...MARSHALL COUNTY...
   BRITTON               16.0   700 AM 2/11

...MCPHERSON COUNTY...
   LEOLA                 10.0   700 AM 2/11

...ROBERTS COUNTY...
   WILMOT                24.0   700 AM 2/11
   10 ENE SISSETON       20.3   700 AM 2/11
   4 W SISSETON          19.2   700 AM 2/11
   VICTOR                16.0   700 AM 2/11
   SISSETON              14.5   700 AM 2/11

...SPINK COUNTY...
   TURTON                17.5   700 AM 2/11
   DOLAND                10.4   700 AM 2/11

...STANLEY COUNTY...
   HAYES                  8.0   700 AM 2/11

...SULLY COUNTY...
   ONIDA                  7.0   700 AM 2/11

...WALWORTH COUNTY...
   SELBY                  4.0   700 AM 2/10
   MOBRIDGE               3.2   700 AM 2/11