Winter Weather — Campbell, South Dakota

2023-04-05 · Campbell, South Dakota

Wider weather episode

A strong low pressure system developed across the western Great Plains and strengthened as it tracked northeast into Iowa on the afternoon of April 4th and into northeastern Minnesota by noon on April 5th. This system produced accumulating snow as well as a wintry mix across central and northeastern South Dakota on April 4th, and then strong west-northwest wind gusts between 30 and 45 mph on April 5th. The result was significantly reduced visibilities at times. Ditches were full of snow from this and previous snowfall events, which allowed for significant drifts to develop on roadways as well.

Many US and state highways were either impassable, closed or under no travel advised statements from the South Dakota Department of Transportation. Interstate 29 closed from Watertown to the North Dakota boarder from 2pm April 4th through 7am April 6th. Business and school closures were widespread as a result. Additionally, there were several reports of power outages, and ranchers were adversely impacted due to the storm's overlap with the calving season. Following this storm, many locations had observed a top-10 winter season for total snowfall. All the snow and much below average temperatures to start April set the stage for significant spring flooding.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1092879. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.