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Heavy Rain From the Central Plains to the Mid-Atlantic; Heat Wave Begins This Weekend

Strong to severe thunderstorms and heavy rain will impact portions of the central Plains into the Upper Midwest and the Mid-Atlantic through the weekend. A stretch of unusually hot and humid weather is expected across portions of the central U.S. and the Southeast beginning this weekend and continuing through next week. The heat may reach dangerous levels, particularly mid to late next week. Read More >

Overview

A large storm brought heavy rain and historic late season snowfall to the Black Hills region May 20-22, 2019. A powerful low pressure system slowly moved from the Four Corners region northward through the Plains during this time, leading to a prolonged period of precipitation to western South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.

Precipitation type throughout the event was largely dependent on elevation. Locations on the plains north and east of Rapid City saw predominantly rain, while higher elevations in the foothills just to the west and south of Rapid City and the Black Hills received several inches, or even multiple feet, of snow.

For the Black Hills and western South Dakota plains, this three-day period was among the coldest, wettest, and snowiest stretches on record over the latter half of May, with several temperature and precipitation records set.

Enjoying the snow with a cup of coffee south of Deadwood!
Enjoying the snow with a cup of coffee south of Deadwood!
Photo by Michele S 
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