Dangerous Heat Expands; Heavy Rainfall Threats; Fire Weather Concerns for the West

The heat will increase and expand across the Central Plains, Mississippi Valley, Southeast and into the Eastern U.S. through the week as high pressure builds across the eastern two-thirds of the country. On the northern periphery of this heat, the threat for severe thunderstorms and heavy rainfall across the northern Plains and upper Midwest through Tuesday. Critical Fire Weather for the west. Read More >

The snowfal/blizzard event on 20-21 February 2011 produced yet another round of impressive snowfall totals across central and northeastern South Dakota and west-central Minnesota. Storm total snowfall amounts generally ranged from 8" to 12" with locally higher amounts in excess of 18" reported in a few locations (see snowfall graphic below).

This 20 February event also set several records in Aberdeen:

The 16.0" on 20 February was the highest calendar day snowfall for any day in February. The old record was 14.3" on 28 February 1951.
The 16.0" on 20 February tied for the 4th highest calendar day snowfall on any calendar day. The snowiest calendar day of all time was 18.3" set on 10 April 1913.

Several other interesting snowfall facts or records in Aberdeen are also listed below:

The seasonal snowfall in 2010-2011 now stands at 63.0". The normal seasonal snowfall for an entire winter is 38.6".
The 63.0" already ranks as the 14th snowiest winter on record. The highest seasonal snowfall total was 109.8" set in 1936-1937.
Through 23 February, Aberdeen is currently ahead of the very snowy winter in 1996-1997. The seasonal snowfall in 1996-1997 ended up at 75.9".
Through 23 February, Aberdeen has already set a new record for the snowiest December-February on record with 61.0". The previous record was 57.0" set in December-February 1915.

The Top 10 snowiest winters all time in Aberdeen are listed below:

Rank Value Ending Date Missing Days

1 109.8 6/30/1937 (2)

2 94.6 6/30/1897 (205)

3 76.8 6/30/1994

4 75.9 6/30/1997

5 74.6 6/30/2001 (1)

6 74.5 6/30/1915 (141)

7 71.3 6/30/1907 (177)

8 68.0 6/30/1936 (1)

9 67.5 6/30/1893 (245)

10 65.9 6/30/1995 (1)