Blizzard — Jones, South Dakota

2023-03-31 · Jones, South Dakota

Event narrative

Blizzard conditions were reported in Murdo, and a COOP observer there measured 9.7 inches of snow.

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system developed east of the Rockies in Colorado and then moved through the Great Plains and into the Upper Mississippi Valley from the evening of March 30th through the evening of March 31st. This system produced heavy snow across parts of central and northeastern South Dakota, along with wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph. Some of the heaviest amounts include 18 inches 5 miles north-northwest of Miranda, 16 inches 7 miles east of Hayes, 15 inches 8 miles south-southwest of Highmore, and 14 inches at Wilmot, Faulkton and a mile northwest of Pierre. The result was blizzard conditions over much of central and northeastern South Dakota during the day and evening on March 31st. In addition, this system produced thunderstorms with small hail, sleet, and thundersnow across the area, as well as ice accumulations of over a quarter of an inch across portions of northeastern South Dakota.

Impacts were significant, including widespread school closures, the cancellation of the YMCA Interstate Basketball tournament, widespread impassable or closed roads including I-90 from Wall to Chamberlain beginning at noon on the 31st and I-29 from 2pm on March 31st to noon on April 1st from Watertown to the North Dakota border, a great many stranded vehicles and vehicle accidents, power outages that lasted overnight for many customers, and cattle and ranchers during peak calving season were adversely affected. Finally, the heavy snowfall in Aberdeen was found to have caused the collapse of two-thirds of the Van Slyke building in downtown. A fire also started, but was contained soon thereafter. No injuries were reported. This heavy snow event further set the stage for significant spring flooding.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1088395. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.