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Storm Impacting the Northwest U.S.; Fire Weather Conditions in Southern California; Severe Weather in the South

A Pacific storm is bringing areas of low elevation rain, moderate to heavy mountain snow, and high winds to the Northwest. Strong Santa Ana winds and very dry conditions are producing elevated to critical fire weather conditions in southern California. Isolated strong to severe thunderstorms are possible through early Wednesday morning across parts of northeast Texas into western Tennessee. Read More >

Overview

A fast moving winter storm brought snow, high winds and blizzard conditions to parts of central and northeast South Dakota as well as west central Minnesota on December 23rd. The system tracked from west to east across region, with snow and even light rain being documented during the overnight/early morning hours across central South Dakota, but quickly pushed to the east into parts of eastern South Dakota by mid to late Wednesday morning. In addition to periods of reduced visibility across central South Dakota, warm temperatures in advance of snowfall did lead to flash freezing on road surfaces and hazardous travel. For northeast South Dakota and west central Minnesota, the impacts persisted throughout the afternoon hours. Extremely strong northerly wind, with gusts of 50 to 70 mph were prevalent across the region during the afternoon, and combined with the falling snow, created widespread blizzard conditions and hazardous travel. Much of the region was placed under no travel advisories and there were many reports of traffic crashes and stranded motorists.  

Temperatures also dropped significantly behind the system. In fact, above normal and even record temperatures ranging from the 50s to low 70s on Tuesday, December 22nd, had dropped 40 to 50 degrees by the afternoon of Wednesday, December 23rd.

Image
Whiteout conditions in Watertown, SD.  Photo courtesy of Alex Resel.

Photos & Video

Photo Photo Photo Photo
Reduced visibility 4 miles north of Craven Corner in Edmunds County.
Photo courtesy of Gerald Ray Nobel.
Reduced visibility along highway 12 between Roscoe and Ipswich Wednesday morning.
Photo courtesy of Fran Ruckman.
Slick roads and periods of reduced visibility caused a crash near Belvidere.
Photo courtesy of the South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Reduced visibility near Clark.
Photo courtesy of Clark Police Department.
Photo Photo Photo Photo
Whiteout conditions at Summit, taken only 20 yards from semi ahead.
Photo courtesy of South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Jackknifed truck near Summit.
Photo courtesy of South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Car in ditch during blizzard conditions near Summit.
Photo courtesy of South Dakota Highway Patrol.
Whiteout conditions near Watertown.
Photo courtesy of Alex Resel.
Photo Photo Photo Photo
Blizzard conditions at Ortonville.
Photo courtesy of John Paulson.
Blizzard conditions near Clear Lake.
Photo courtesy of Cody Drinkerd.
No travel advised across much of eastern South Dakota by 12:45 pm CST. Image from South Dakota Department of Transportation 511 Page. Area webcams from the South Dakota Department of Transportation at 9:50 AM CST.

 


Radar

Radar Loop
9:50 pm CST Tuesday, December 22 through 3:50 am CST Wednesday December, 23
Radar Loop
3:50 am CST through 9:50 am CST Wednesday December, 23
Radar Loop
9:50 am CST through 3:50 pm CST Wednesday December, 23

Storm Reports

Click here for a text listing of wind, snow and blizzard reports: https://mesonet.agron.iastate.edu/lsr/#ABR/202012230600/202012241800/0100.

 

Radar Image Radar Image Radar Image
Snowfall reports Peak Wind Gust Reports 24 hour temperature change between 3 pm CST on December 22nd and 3 pm CST on December 23rd.
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