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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 significant winter storm moved across the area beginning on Friday, Jan. 17, 2020. This system provided a wide array of winter weather for the region, including snow, freezing drizzle/rain, high winds, and blizzard conditions.

Most locations saw 4-8" inches of snow by the time the system moved out on Saturday. Freezing drizzle and freezing rain brought a glaze of ice for most, but upwards of a quarter inch of ice in and near Sioux City.  Strong winds accompanied the snow northward on Friday, with gusts between 35 and 45 mph reported.  Even stronger winds arrived with the passage of an arctic cold front.  Winds gusted over 50 mph in many locations, with a select few reaching 58 mph or higher, the equivalent of a severe thunderstorm warning. 

Travel was extremely hazardous, with numerous "no travel advisories" from local jurisdictions. Interstate 29 was closed for a period of time from Sioux Falls to the North Dakota border and Interstate 90 was closed between Sioux Falls and Mitchell. Significant blowing and drifting snow was common through Saturday.

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Radar Loop of Snow and Blizzard Development
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