National Weather Service United States Department of Commerce

Active Weather for the West, Warming in the East

The potential for heavy snow at higher elevations in the western U.S. will continue for many spots through the weekend. In the meantime, the eastern half of the continental U.S. will transition to above normal temperatures ahead of a pair of cold fronts next week that will bring readings back to closer to normal as we approach Thanksgiving Day. Read More >

Aberdeen, SD

Weather Forecast Office

Early Season Snowstorms 2020

Weather.gov > Aberdeen, SD > Early Season Snowstorms 2020

Overview

Three mid-October winter storms impacted the region from Oct 19th through the 25th. Record cold accompanied this activity as well. 

The first system began late Monday night, October 19, through the day Tuesday, October 20. This system brought both heavy snow, rain and mixed precipitation to parts of the region. The heaviest snow fell over northeast South Dakota and west central Minnesota where several locations reported over 6 inches.

The second system developed late Wednesday night, October 21, through Thursday, October 22. This system brought heavy snow to parts of north central and northeast South Dakota, with a few locations reporting 12 or more inches.

The third system impacted much of central and east central South Dakota from Saturday, October 24th through the beginning of Sunday, October 25th. Up to a foot of snow fell across portions of central South Dakota, with enough wind for some drifting as well. 

It is rare to see this much snow so early in the season. Some locations even broke October snowfall total records. A number of cold low and high temperature records were set as well from the 19th through the 27th. 

 

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Above: List of daily temperature and snow records Oct 19th - Oct 27. Below: Preliminary monthly records/near records for snow and temps.

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Photos & Video

October 19-20, 2020

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Mixed Precip Donated on Radar Imagery 10 AM Tuesday
 		 Webcam Images Tuesday Morning
South Dakota Department of Transportation

October 21-22, 2020

Radar Loop
7 pm, Wednesday, October 21 through 7 am, Thursday, October 22		 Radar Loop
7 am through 7 pm, Thursday, October 22

 

Photo Photo Photo Photo
17 NNW Aberdeen, SD
Photo Credit: Kelly Serr		 5 Miles NWS of Leola, SD
Photo Credit: Colin Hofman		 5 Miles NWS of Leola, SD
Photo Credit: Colin Hofman		 Near Eureka, SD
Photo Credit: Patty Haupt
Photo Photo    
Snow accumulations by 1045 am on the 22nd in Pierre.
Photo Credit: Anthony Lueck		 Tree limb damage in Pierre.
Photo Credit: Anthony Lueck		    

October 24-25, 2020

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Road conditions and radar on the evening of the 24th
 		 GOES-16 Satellite Imagery at 11am on October 27th. Green represents snow cover, orange is cloud cover, and blue is bare ground.   

October 19-21, 2020 Storm Reports

 

 

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Report Time (Local WFO Timezone) County Location ST Event Type Mag.
2020/10/20 13:45 BIG STONE BEARDSLEY MN HEAVY SNOW 8
2020/10/20 13:52 BIG STONE 1 NW ORTONVILLE MN HEAVY SNOW 8
2020/10/21 08:00 ROBERTS 1 ENE WILMOT SD HEAVY SNOW 8
2020/10/21 07:30 GRANT MILBANK SD HEAVY SNOW 7
2020/10/21 07:00 ROBERTS 4 W SISSETON SD HEAVY SNOW 6.2
2020/10/20 14:00 BIG STONE 1 N ORTONVILLE MN HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/20 14:00 CODINGTON 2 ESE WATERTOWN SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/20 14:25 ROBERTS 3 W SISSETON SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/21 07:00 GRANT 1 NNW MILBANK SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/21 07:00 ROBERTS 4 N VICTOR SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/21 06:00 TRAVERSE 2 N BROWNS VALLEY MN SNOW 5.7
2020/10/21 07:00 ROBERTS 10 ENE SISSETON SD SNOW 5.7
2020/10/21 08:00 SPINK 2 S DOLAND SD SNOW 5.2
2020/10/20 16:30 HAMLIN ESTELLINE SD HEAVY SNOW 5
2020/10/20 18:00 BIG STONE 2 ESE ARTICHOKE MN SNOW 5
2020/10/21 06:00 GRANT LA BOLT SD SNOW 4.5
2020/10/21 06:56 ROBERTS 2 ENE SISSETON SD SNOW 4.3
2020/10/20 17:00 ROBERTS 4 N VICTOR SD HEAVY SNOW 4
2020/10/21 04:30 BROWN 3 NW WESTPORT SD SNOW 4
2020/10/21 06:00 CLARK CLARK SD SNOW 3.5
2020/10/21 07:00 MARSHALL BRITTON SD SNOW 3.5
2020/10/21 08:00 BROWN 7 WNW HECLA SD SNOW 3.5
2020/10/21 08:00 HAMLIN 1 WNW HAYTI SD SNOW 3.3
2020/10/21 08:00 TRAVERSE 1 ESE WHEATON MN SNOW 3.2
2020/10/20 04:30 BROWN 3 NW WESTPORT SD SNOW 3
2020/10/20 07:00 CAMPBELL 4 ESE HERREID SD SNOW 3
2020/10/20 18:00 EDMUNDS 1 SSW BOWDLE SD SNOW 3
2020/10/21 07:00 SPINK TURTON SD SNOW 3
2020/10/20 22:00 ROBERTS 2 E SISSETON SD SNOW 2.9
2020/10/20 07:00 EDMUNDS 1 W ROSCOE SD SNOW 2.7
2020/10/20 18:00 DEWEY 1 NE TIMBER LAKE SD SNOW 2.5
2020/10/20 07:00 CAMPBELL 11 SW EUREKA SD SNOW 2.3
2020/10/20 18:00 MARSHALL 2 WNW ROY LAKE STATE PA SD SNOW 2.3
2020/10/21 09:00 CODINGTON 1 ESE WATERTOWN SD SNOW 2.3
2020/10/20 19:00 CAMPBELL POLLOCK SD SNOW 2
2020/10/20 13:00 BROWN 3 ESE ABERDEEN SD SNOW 1.8

 
 

 

October 21-22, 2020 Storm Reports

 

 

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Report Time (Local WFO Timezone) County Location ST Event Type Mag.
2020/10/22 07:00 CAMPBELL 4 ESE HERREID SD SNOW 12
2020/10/22 09:30 MCPHERSON 5 WNW LEOLA SD HEAVY SNOW 12
2020/10/22 11:20 CORSON 2 SE KENEL SD HEAVY SNOW 12
2020/10/22 19:00 MCPHERSON 8 S LONG LAKE SD SNOW 12
2020/10/23 07:00 ROBERTS 10 ENE SISSETON SD SNOW 10.7
2020/10/23 07:00 CAMPBELL 11 SW EUREKA SD SNOW 10.5
2020/10/22 09:10 MCPHERSON EUREKA SD HEAVY SNOW 10
2020/10/22 11:30 DEWEY 9 NE PROMISE SD HEAVY SNOW 10
2020/10/22 12:20 BIG STONE 2 NNW BEARDSLEY MN HEAVY SNOW 10
2020/10/23 08:00 FAULK FAULKTON SD SNOW 10
2020/10/23 07:00 HYDE 18 N HOLABIRD SD SNOW 9.5
2020/10/23 06:00 STANLEY 7 E HAYES SD SNOW 9
2020/10/23 08:00 BROWN 7 WNW HECLA SD SNOW 9
2020/10/23 07:00 ROBERTS 4 W SISSETON SD SNOW 8.7
2020/10/23 07:00 ROBERTS 4 W SISSETON SD HEAVY SNOW 8.6
2020/10/23 07:00 WALWORTH SELBY SD SNOW 8.6
2020/10/22 08:00 FAULK FAULKTON SD HEAVY SNOW 8
2020/10/23 07:00 EDMUNDS 1 W ROSCOE SD HEAVY SNOW 8
2020/10/22 18:00 DEWEY TIMBER LAKE SD HEAVY SNOW 7.4
2020/10/22 07:00 CAMPBELL 11 SW EUREKA SD SNOW 7.3
2020/10/22 07:00 WALWORTH SELBY SD SNOW 7.3
2020/10/23 06:00 BROWN 3 ESE ABERDEEN SD HEAVY SNOW 7.3
2020/10/22 07:00 HYDE 18 N HOLABIRD SD SNOW 7
2020/10/22 09:00 BROWN 1 W RICHMOND LAKE REC A SD SNOW 7
2020/10/22 12:00 MARSHALL 11 WNW KIDDER SD HEAVY SNOW 7
2020/10/23 07:00 BROWN 2 SSE CLAREMONT SD HEAVY SNOW 7
2020/10/23 06:30 TRAVERSE 2 N BROWNS VALLEY MN HEAVY SNOW 6.9
2020/10/22 07:00 EDMUNDS 1 W ROSCOE SD SNOW 6.8
2020/10/22 13:00 BROWN 3 ESE ABERDEEN SD HEAVY SNOW 6.7
2020/10/22 07:00 TRAVERSE 2 N BROWNS VALLEY MN SNOW 6.4
2020/10/22 08:00 BROWN 1 SSW COLUMBIA SD SNOW 6.3
2020/10/22 07:00 EDMUNDS IPSWICH SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/22 10:15 ROBERTS ROSHOLT SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/22 10:32 SULLY 4 NW ONIDA SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/22 11:30 POTTER HOVEN SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/22 12:20 DAY 6 W PIERPONT SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/22 12:30 MARSHALL 1 N KIDDER SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/23 06:00 BROWN 1 SSW ABERDEEN SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/22 07:00 ROBERTS 10 ENE SISSETON SD SNOW 5.7
2020/10/22 07:46 BROWN 5 NW HECLA SD SNOW 5.5
2020/10/22 08:00 BROWN 2 SSE CLAREMONT SD SNOW 5.5
2020/10/22 08:00 BROWN 7 WNW HECLA SD SNOW 5.5
2020/10/22 04:55 WALWORTH SELBY SD SNOW 5
2020/10/22 05:58 EDMUNDS MINA SD SNOW 5
2020/10/22 06:00 STANLEY 7 E HAYES SD SNOW 5
2020/10/22 06:30 MARSHALL BRITTON SD SNOW 5
2020/10/22 07:00 MARSHALL BRITTON SD SNOW 5
2020/10/22 07:00 ROBERTS 2 E VICTOR SD SNOW 5
2020/10/22 08:00 DEWEY 7 E TIMBER LAKE SD SNOW 5
2020/10/23 07:00 HUGHES 1 S PIERRE SD SNOW 5
2020/10/22 08:40 CAMPBELL POLLOCK SD SNOW 4.8
2020/10/22 12:15 BIG STONE BEARDSLEY MN SNOW 4.5
2020/10/22 06:02 FAULK CRESBARD SD SNOW 4
2020/10/22 07:00 BROWN 1 SSW ABERDEEN SD SNOW 4
2020/10/22 07:15 BUFFALO 3 NNE GANN VALLEY SD SNOW 3.9
2020/10/22 07:00 ROBERTS 4 W SISSETON SD SNOW 3.8
2020/10/22 07:00 BROWN 3 ESE ABERDEEN SD SNOW 3.6
2020/10/22 06:10 FAULK FAULKTON SD SNOW 3.5
2020/10/22 07:00 BROWN 2 SW ABERDEEN SD SNOW 3.3
2020/10/22 07:00 HUGHES 3 NNE PIERRE SD SNOW 3
2020/10/22 07:00 LYMAN 8 N VIVIAN SD SNOW 3
2020/10/22 06:30 HUGHES 1 SSW PIERRE SD SNOW 2.6
2020/10/22 03:40 CORSON MCLAUGHLIN SD SNOW 2.5
2020/10/22 07:00 HUGHES 1 S PIERRE SD SNOW 2.4
2020/10/22 07:00 STANLEY FORT PIERRE SD SNOW 2.3
2020/10/22 03:30 POTTER GETTYSBURG SD SNOW 2
2020/10/22 06:30 BROWN 3 NW WESTPORT SD SNOW 2
2020/10/22 07:00 SPINK TURTON SD SNOW 2
2020/10/22 08:00 SPINK 2 S DOLAND SD SNOW 2
2020/10/22 09:10 HUGHES PIERRE SD SLEET 1.5
 

 

October 24-25, 2020 Storm Reports

 

 

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Report Time (Local WFO Timezone) County Location ST Event Type Mag.
2020/10/25 18:00 SULLY 8 NW OKOBOJO CREEK REC SD HEAVY SNOW 11
2020/10/25 07:00 HUGHES 3 S WEST BEND REC AREA SD HEAVY SNOW 10
2020/10/25 18:00 STANLEY 1 WNW BUNKER SD HEAVY SNOW 10
2020/10/25 00:00 POTTER 3 SSW WHITLOCKS BAY REC SD HEAVY SNOW 8
2020/10/25 06:00 CORSON 7 N SHAMBO RANCH SD HEAVY SNOW 8
2020/10/25 18:00 DEWEY EAGLE BUTTE SD HEAVY SNOW 7.5
2020/10/25 08:00 LYMAN 4 ENE RELIANCE SD HEAVY SNOW 6.5
2020/10/25 18:00 DEWEY TIMBER LAKE SD HEAVY SNOW 6.5
2020/10/25 09:00 JONES MURDO SD HEAVY SNOW 6
2020/10/25 06:00 STANLEY 7 E HAYES SD SNOW 5
2020/10/25 07:00 LYMAN 8 N VIVIAN SD SNOW 5
2020/10/25 07:00 LYMAN KENNEBEC SD SNOW 4.7
2020/10/25 17:51 LYMAN KENNEBEC SD SNOW 4.7
2020/10/25 07:00 LYMAN PRESHO SD SNOW 4.5
2020/10/25 08:00 SPINK 2 S DOLAND SD SNOW 4.2
2020/10/25 07:15 BUFFALO 3 NNE GANN VALLEY SD SNOW 4.1
2020/10/25 07:00 HUGHES 1 S PIERRE SD SNOW 4
2020/10/25 08:00 FAULK FAULKTON SD SNOW 4
2020/10/25 08:00 HAMLIN 1 WNW HAYTI SD SNOW 3.2
2020/10/25 06:00 STANLEY 7 E HAYES SD SNOW 3
2020/10/25 07:00 STANLEY FORT PIERRE SD SNOW 3
2020/10/25 12:01 HAMLIN ESTELLINE SD SNOW 3
2020/10/25 06:00 CLARK CLARK SD SNOW 2.5
2020/10/25 07:00 WALWORTH SELBY SD SNOW 2.3
2020/10/25 08:00 HAMLIN CASTLEWOOD SD SNOW 2.1
2020/10/25 07:00 BROWN 3 NW WESTPORT SD SNOW 2
2020/10/25 07:00 HYDE 18 N HOLABIRD SD SNOW 2
2020/10/25 08:00 CODINGTON 2 E WATERTOWN SD SNOW 2
2020/10/25 08:00 CODINGTON 3 ESE WATERTOWN SD SNOW 2
2020/10/25 18:00 EDMUNDS BOWDLE SD SNOW 2
 

 

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