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Severe Storms and Flooding Threat in the Central Plains; Heat Continues in the South and West

Severe thunderstorms may produce damaging winds, large hail, and numerous instances of flash/urban flooding over parts of the central Plains and lower Missouri Valley. Hazardous heat will continue in the South, Desert Southwest and the California Central Valley this weekend. Isolated dry thunderstorms may increase the risk of fire starts and spread across the Four Corners region and vicinity. Read More >

Overview

A complex, slow-moving upper-level disturbance brought several rounds of snowfall to eastern Wyoming and western South Dakota from early on February 15th through the day on February 17th. The most significant accumulations during the event occurred within a band of heavy snow over the northwest South Dakota plains on the 16th, which brought localized snowfall rates of over two inches per hour at times. Snowfall totals over the three days exceeded a foot in many locations over northwestern South Dakota, with a general decrease in amounts towards the southwest. Highest amounts were measured in Perkins County, where over 20" of snowfall occurred.

The amounts of snowfall and moisture with this system were impressive for this time of year. In fact, several locations broke records for daily or monthly precipitation and/or snowfall amounts during this event:

  • Rapid City Regional Airport: 0.35" liquid/5.2" snow (2/15)
  • Downtown Rapid City: 0.28" liquid/4.4" snow (2/15)
  • Buffalo, SD ASOS: 0.66" liquid (2/16, record for February)
  • Faith, SD ASOS: 0.63" liquid (2/16, record for February)

 

Photo

Meadow, SD
Courtesy of Shane Y.

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