December 31, 2018 Winter Storm

Overview

The year of 2018 closed with a blast of snow, wind, and cold across northeastern WY and western SD. A strong winter storm brought heavy snowfall and blizzard-like conditions to much of the area on December 30th and 31st. Snow began across northeastern WY on the afternoon of the 30th before gradually spreading across the entire area. Rain preceded the snow across portions of western SD, providing a glaze of ice beneath accumulating snow as temperatures plummeted through the night of the 30th into the morning of the 31st. Hazardous travel conditions caused by a combination of slick roads, heavy snow, and wind gusts of 40 to 60 mph led to the closure of I-90 across portions of WY, and later, closure of both the Gillette-Campbell County Airport and Rapid City Regional Airport.

Heaviest snowfall amounts occurred across northeastern WY and portions of the northern and southern Black Hills, where 8 to nearly 14 inches of snow were reported. Blizzard conditions were observed in Rapid City and the surrounding plains and foothills for several hours on the morning of the 31st. Additionally, downtown Rapid City set a new record daily snowfall for New Year's Eve, with 2.5" of snow breaking the previous record of 2.4" in 1924.

Belle Fourche, SD
Courtesy Brian J.

Snow
Photos
Storm Reports

Snow

Belle Fourche, SD

Photos


9N Alva, WY Courtesy Paula B.	9N Alva, WY Courtesy Paula B.	Belle Fourche, SD Courtesy Victoria P.	Edgemont, SD Courtesy Katherine A.


Galena, SD Courtesy Elizabeth K.	Gillette, WY Courtesy Patrick K.	Gillette, WY Courtesy Patrick K.	Gillette, WY Courtesy Patrick K.


Near Carlile, WY Courtesy Jeana W.	Spearfish, SD Courtesy Carrie GW.	Spearfish, SD Courtesy Debbie L.	Spearfish, SD Courtesy Jessica S.


Spearfish, SD Courtesy Jessica S.	Sturgis, SD Courtesy Ky M.	Sundance, WY Courtesy MD P.	4S Devil's Tower, WY Courtesy Heike B.

Belle Fourche, SD
Courtesy Gary B.

Storm Reports

SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT

 INCHES  LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
 ------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
 13.50   1 N DOWNTOWN BELLE FOUR  SD  BUTTE            1230 PM
 12.50   LEAD                     SD  LAWRENCE         0200 PM
 12.00   DEADWOOD                 SD  LAWRENCE         1210 PM
 12.00   2 NNW SAINT ONGE         SD  LAWRENCE         1125 AM
                 2-4 FOOT DRIFTS
 12.00   2 NW BEULAH              WY  CROOK            1004 AM
 12.00   1 W DOWNTOWN BELLE FOUR  SD  BUTTE            0901 AM
 11.80   1 NNW DOWNTOWN SPEARFIS  SD  LAWRENCE         0801 AM
 10.50   1 SSE DOWNTOWN SPEARFIS  SD  LAWRENCE         0800 AM
 10.00   2 SE COLONY              WY  CROOK            0105 PM
 10.00   9 N ALVA                 WY  CROOK            0945 AM
 10.00   6 SW BEULAH              WY  CROOK            0800 AM
 10.00   DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH       SD  LAWRENCE         0641 AM
  9.00   11 W DOWNTOWN HOT SPRIN  SD  FALL RIVER       1057 AM
  9.00   1 SE DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH  SD  LAWRENCE         0713 AM
                 8 TO 10 INCHES
  9.00   6 NNW DOWNTOWN SPEARFIS  SD  LAWRENCE         0700 AM
  8.00   6 ENE CARLILE            WY  CROOK            0837 AM
  8.00   DOWNTOWN STURGIS         SD  MEADE            0658 AM
  8.00   DOWNTOWN GILLETTE        WY  CAMPBELL         0330 AM
                 WIDESPREAD DRIFTS OF 3 TO 4 FEET
  8.00   S DOWNTOWN CUSTER        SD  CUSTER           1017 PM
                 SOUTHSIDE OF TOWN
  7.80   WRIGHT                   WY  CAMPBELL         0100 PM
                 DRIFTS OVER 3 FEET
  7.60   9 E CARLILE              WY  CROOK            0700 AM
  7.50   ARGYLE                   SD  CUSTER           0857 AM
  7.50   1 SSW DOWNTOWN CUSTER    SD  CUSTER           0841 AM
  7.50   3 ESE CHEYENNE CROSSING  SD  LAWRENCE         0800 AM
  7.20   1 S DOWNTOWN BELLE FOUR  SD  BUTTE            0700 AM
  7.00   1 NE DOWNTOWN CUSTER     SD  CUSTER           0841 AM
  7.00   4 SE DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH  SD  LAWRENCE         0750 AM
                 AT LEAST 7 INCHES
  7.00   DOWNTOWN NEWCASTLE       WY  WESTON           0612 PM
                 6 TO 7 INCHES
  6.50   14 NNW DOWNTOWN GILLETT  WY  CAMPBELL         0700 AM
  6.00   6 ESE CLARETON           WY  WESTON           0909 AM
  6.00   5 ESE ELM SPRINGS        SD  MEADE            0900 AM
  6.00   SUNDANCE                 WY  CROOK            0819 AM
                 DRIFTS OVER TWO FEET
  6.00   EDGEMONT                 SD  FALL RIVER       0759 AM
  6.00   19 SW UPTON              WY  WESTON           0700 AM
  6.00   11 NE MORRISEY           WY  WESTON           0700 AM
  6.00   5 SW DOWNTOWN HOT SPRIN  SD  FALL RIVER       0700 AM
  6.00   6 NNW SUNDANCE           WY  CROOK            0640 AM
                 STORM TOTAL SO FAR
  6.00   3 ESE DEVILS TOWER       WY  CROOK            0600 AM
  6.00   3 E DOWNTOWN NEWCASTLE   WY  WESTON           0600 AM
  6.00   4 S HILL CITY            SD  PENNINGTON       0550 AM
  5.60   HULETT                   WY  CROOK            0702 AM
  5.50   11 NNE WESTON            WY  CAMPBELL         0700 AM
  5.50   3 SE SAINT ONGE          SD  LAWRENCE         0545 AM
  5.50   OSAGE                    WY  WESTON           0909 PM
  5.50   WRIGHT                   WY  CAMPBELL         0509 PM
  5.00   14 SSW PROVO             SD  FALL RIVER       1248 PM
  5.00   4 S DEVILS TOWER         WY  CROOK            1158 AM
                 DRIFTS OVER 3 FEET, DIFFICULT TO GET ACCURATE
                 MEASUREMENT
  5.00   15 E DOWNTOWN NEWCASTLE  SD  PENNINGTON       0858 AM
  5.00   15 NE DOWNTOWN STURGIS   SD  MEADE            0818 AM
  5.00   EDGEMONT                 SD  FALL RIVER       0700 AM
  5.00   QUINN                    SD  PENNINGTON       0630 AM
                 ABOUT 4 TO 6 INCHES OF SNOW FROM WALL TO 5 MI
                 EAST OF QUINN. VISIBILITY FROM HALF MILE TO
                 NEAR ZERO.
  5.00   1 ENE PRINGLE            SD  CUSTER           0728 PM
  5.00   2 SSW DOWNTOWN CUSTER    SD  CUSTER           0518 PM
  4.70   DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY      SD  PENNINGTON       0700 AM
  4.50   1 E DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY  SD  PENNINGTON       1100 AM
                 1-2 FOOT DRIFTS
  4.50   2 W OPAL                 SD  MEADE            0700 AM
  4.50   4 NNE SUMMERSET          SD  MEADE            0700 AM
  4.20   2 W IDEAL                SD  TRIPP            0159 PM
                 4 TO 4.5 INCHES
  4.00   1 NW VETAL               SD  BENNETT          0205 PM
  4.00   8 NW HILL CITY           SD  PENNINGTON       0728 AM
                 AT LEAST 4 INCHES
  4.00   4 W DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY  SD  PENNINGTON       0700 AM
  4.00   DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS     SD  FALL RIVER       0700 AM
  4.00   7 NW CEDAR BUTTE         SD  MELLETTE         0700 AM
  4.00   1 NNE EDGEMONT           SD  FALL RIVER       0600 AM
  4.00   9 NW DEERFIELD           SD  PENNINGTON       0500 AM
                 STORM TOTAL SO FAR
  4.00   7 SSE CHEYENNE CROSSING  SD  LAWRENCE         0500 AM
                 STORM TOTAL SO FAR
  4.00   9 W JEWEL CAVE           SD  CUSTER           0525 PM
                 3 TO 4 INCHES
  4.00   DOWNTOWN NEWCASTLE       WY  WESTON           0413 PM
  3.70   2 S DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY  SD  PENNINGTON       0700 AM
  3.50   5 W ELLSWORTH AFB        SD  MEADE            0700 AM
  3.50   DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS     SD  FALL RIVER       0700 AM
  3.20   1 E DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY  SD  PENNINGTON       0500 AM
                 1-2 FOOT DRIFTS
  3.00   1 W OGLALA               SD  OGLALA LAKOTA    0137 PM
  3.00   6 ENE NEWELL             SD  BUTTE            0800 AM
  2.80   3 NE HISEGA              SD  PENNINGTON       0800 AM
  2.50   HOWES                    SD  MEADE            0113 PM
                 2 TO 3 INCHES, 2 FOOT DRIFTS
  2.50   8 E SMITHWICK            SD  FALL RIVER       1245 PM
                 ESTIMATED 2 TO 3 INCHES
  2.50   15 S BUFFALO             SD  HARDING          0738 AM
                 ABOUT 2 TO 3 INCHES
  2.50   3 NNE JOHNSON SIDING     SD  PENNINGTON       0700 AM
  2.40   1 ESE PACTOLA RESERVOIR  SD  PENNINGTON       0710 AM
  2.00   7 NE SMITHWICK           SD  FALL RIVER       1240 PM
  2.00   5 ESE NORRIS             SD  MELLETTE         0822 AM
  2.00   14 SSE DUPREE            SD  ZIEBACH          0800 AM
  2.00   3 SSE HARDING            SD  HARDING          0800 AM
  2.00   2 SW NORRIS              SD  MELLETTE         0800 AM
  1.50   7 N WOOD                 SD  MELLETTE         0647 AM
  1.50   HERMOSA                  SD  CUSTER           0600 AM
  1.30   5 NE ROCKERVILLE         SD  PENNINGTON       0700 AM
  1.00   2 SSE PINE RIDGE         SD  OGLALA LAKOTA    0141 PM
  1.00   8 WSW LODGEPOLE          SD  PERKINS          0820 AM
  1.00   6 SSW FAIRPOINT          SD  MEADE            0700 AM
  1.00   ORAL                     SD  FALL RIVER       0700 AM
  1.00   8 WNW USTA               SD  PERKINS          0700 AM


SUSTAINED WIND REPORTS LISTED BY SPEED (MPH)

 SPEED   LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
 ------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
 44.00   RAPID CITY AIRPORT       SD  PENNINGTON       0203 AM
                 ALSO GUSTING TO 59 MPH


WIND GUST REPORTS LISTED BY SPEED (MPH)

 SPEED   LOCATION                 ST  COUNTY           TIME
 ------  -----------------------  --  --------------   -------
 61.00   RAPID CITY AIRPORT       SD  PENNINGTON       0118 AM
 57.00   1 NE ECHETA              WY  CAMPBELL         1251 AM
                 PEAK WIND IN THE LAST HOUR
 55.00   1 E DOWNTOWN RAPID CITY  SD  PENNINGTON       1228 AM

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