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Heavy Rainfall and Flooding Threats in the Midwest and Ohio Valley; Heat Continues in the Plains and Southeast

An active pattern will continue to bring heavy to excessive rainfall and flash flooding threats to the Midwest and Ohio Valley over the next couple of days. Dangerous heat continues across the central/southern Plains and Southeast U.S. into next week. There is potential for record-tying/breaking temperatures with many areas forecast to see their hottest temperatures so far this year. Read More >

Overview

On April 3, 2023 a potent winter storm developed over the Four Corners region. The low strengthened as it moved northeast into Wyoming and then through western South Dakota on April 4. The strength of the storm was sufficient to efficiently wring out significant moisture in the form of snow. Heavy snow fell for most of the day on the 3rd over far southwest South Dakota. The storm plodded northward the next day, dropping heavy snow across most of western South Dakota and the Black Hills. The storm exited the region on the 5th.

The heaviest snow fell over far southwest South Dakota where a location 2 miles west of Hot Springs recorded 30" of fresh snow. Snow totals of 18-24" were common from Custer to Hermosa to Hot Springs. 12" reports were common across much of west-central South Dakota.

Northwest winds of 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 40 mph caused blowing and drifting snow on the 4th. Blizzard conditions occurred on the open plains of South Dakota where these winds were the strongest. During the height of the storm, I-90 was shut down over western South Dakota due to the blizzard conditions.

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1E Custer State Park Airport, SD
Courtesy Mary Frances
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