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Heat Wave Expands to the East Coast; Flash Flooding Likely in the Central Plains into the Midwest; Severe Thunderstorms in the Northeast

Dangerous, prolonged heat is ongoing in the Mid-South to Mid-Mississippi Valley and heat expands into the Northeast for a brief period today. Widely scattered instances of flash flooding due to heavy rains are forecast from northeast Kansas to much of Indiana. Scattered strong to severe thunderstorms are possible across parts of New England, northern Mid-Atlantic, and North Dakota. 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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