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 >
Overview
A strong low-pressure system brought heavy snow and very gusty winds to northeastern Wyoming and western South Dakota Christmas Day of 2016. Before the snow, some areas experienced freezing rain and sleet, creating a layer of icing. Generally, 4 to 12 inches of snow fell across the forecast area, with the highest amounts across northwestern SD, northeastern WY, and the Black Hills. Strong winds up to 72 mph created blowing snow, resulting in blizzard conditions across much of the area, even after the snow stopped falling. Many places had drifts several feet high.
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| Devils Tower | Gillette | 8 mi N Sturgis |
Snowfall Map
Storm Reports
THE STORM REPORTS LISTED BELOW ARE IN DESCENDING ORDER AND MAY NOT NECESSARILY
BE THE FINAL STORM REPORTS.
SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT
INCHES LOCATION ST COUNTY TIME
------ ----------------------- -- -------------- -------
12.00 1 W GLAD VALLEY SD ZIEBACH 1200 PM
SOME DRIFTS 12-14 FEET HIGH
11.00 LEMMON SD PERKINS 0500 PM
11.00 4 NNE ROCKERVILLE SD PENNINGTON 1212 PM
SNOW DRIFTS 6-12 INCHES HIGHER THAN SNOWFALL
AMOUNT.
10.00 6 SSW LEAD SD LAWRENCE 0700 AM
8.00 8 W OPAL SD MEADE 1056 AM
8.00 JOHNSON SIDING SD PENNINGTON 1006 AM
8.00 DOWNTOWN HOT SPRINGS SD FALL RIVER 0907 AM
ESTIMATED 8 INCHES IN HOT SPRINGS MINNEKAHTA
VALLEY.
8.00 OELRICHS SD FALL RIVER 0902 AM
RAIN AT THE START OF IT THEN TURNING INTO
SNOW WITH THUNDERSNOW LATER IN THE MORNING.
8.00 4 SE DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0853 AM
ESTIMATED 8 INCHES NEAR MOUNTAIN SHADOWS
MOBILE HOME ESTATES IN SPEARFISH.
8.00 SW HERMOSA SD CUSTER 0850 AM
7-8 INCHES OF SNOW SW OF HERMOSA. LIMITED
DRIFTING DUE TO INDIVIDUAL LIVING IN A
CANYON. NOT A LOT OF WIND WITH STORM.
8.00 2 NNW SAINT ONGE SD LAWRENCE 0800 AM
DRIFTS UP TO 4-5 FEET DEEP.
8.00 1 SSW DOWNTOWN HOT SPRI SD FALL RIVER 0700 AM
7.50 5 E PORCUPINE SD OGLALA LAKOTA 0954 AM
ESTIMATED 7.5 INCHES OF NEW SNOW WITH DRIFTS
KNEE TO CHEST DEEP
7.20 1 ESE PACTOLA RESERVOIR SD PENNINGTON 0846 AM
6.80 5 SW DOWNTOWN RAPID CIT SD PENNINGTON 0700 AM
6.00 2 N FOUR CORNERS WY WESTON 1002 AM
LIGHT SNOW STILL OCCURRING.
6.00 DOWNTOWN CUSTER SD CUSTER 0930 AM
UP TO 24 INCHES DRIFTS
6.00 SUNDANCE WY CROOK 0908 AM
DRIFTS UP TO 2 FEET HIGH. HIGHEST WIND GUST
FOR STORM 42.5 MPH
6.00 3 ENE KYLE SD OGLALA LAKOTA 0844 AM
6.00 5 E PIEDMONT SD MEADE 0700 AM
6.00 2 SSE DOWNTOWN RAPID CI SD PENNINGTON 0900 PM
5.20 DOWNTOWN SPEARFISH SD LAWRENCE 0700 AM
4.40 EDGEMONT SD FALL RIVER 0845 AM
WIND GUST REPORTS LISTED BY SPEED (MPH)
SPEED LOCATION ST COUNTY TIME
------ ----------------------- -- -------------- -------
72.00 3 E WICKSVILLE SD PENNINGTON 0510 PM
67.00 1 NE WINNER SD TRIPP 0952 PM
65.00 6 W PARMELEE SD TODD 0728 PM
63.00 11 SW PARMELEE SD TODD 0710 PM
63.00 6 WNW DOWNTOWN NEWCASTLE WY WESTON 0215 PM
61.00 1 N BUFFALO SD HARDING 1028 AM
58.00 WEWELA SD TRIPP 0750 PM
58.00 4 SSE WITTEN SD TRIPP 0740 PM
58.00 15 SSE MISSION SD TODD 0630 PM
58.00 ELLSWORTH AFB SD MEADE 0417 PM
VISIBILITY LESS THAN 1/4 MILE
58.00 RAPID CITY AIRPORT SD PENNINGTON 0344 PM
SUSTAINED WIND 44 MPH...VIS LESS THAN 1/4 MILE
55.00 9 SW BATESLAND SD OGLALA LAKOTA 0610 PM
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