Winter Weather — Hutchinson, South Dakota

2020-02-08 · Hutchinson, South Dakota

Event narrative

Despite only a brief period of snowfall which brought up to an 1.0 inches 11 miles south of Emery and 0.4 inches 10 miles west of Dimock, slick roads resulted in a single-car accident and (indirect) fatality to the driver 2 miles west of Parkston on SD Highway 46. The vehicle lost control, entered the ditch and rolled, ejecting the driver.

Wider weather episode

A confluent trough digging into the Northern Plains established a tight mid-level frontal band which focused snowfall as it traversed the region. The band remained nearly stationary for 6 to 9 hours from east central South Dakota into southwest Minnesota. Instability led to further contraction of the frontal band with a very intense gradient from little snow to a half-foot or more. Isolated thundersnow was reported across southwest Minnesota.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 874819. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.