Blizzard — Haakon, South Dakota

2016-12-25 to 2016-12-26 · Haakon, South Dakota

Wider weather episode

An intense storm system moved across the Northern Plains, producing snow and strong winds across much of western South Dakota. Areas of freezing rain, freezing drizzle, sleet, and snow developed over the area in the morning, before changing to snow. Snowfall was heaviest during the late afternoon and nighttime hours. Four to eight inches of snow were reported across much of western South Dakota, with local amounts as much as a foot. Little or no snow fell across south central South Dakota, where temperatures were warm enough for mostly rain. Embedded thunder was also noted with the precipitation. Strong winds developed late in the day and continued into the next morning, with blizzard conditions across much of the western South Dakota plains. Interstate 90 was closed for a prolonged period from the Wyoming border to Chamberlain. Rural electric systems sustained significant damage to poles and wires due the snow, ice, and wind. A man died as he tried to walk home after his pickup truck went into a ditch.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 665755. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.