Power Outage in Chamberlain, SD

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred prior to snowfall. Storm-total snowfall from 10 to 17 inches occurred, with 10.8 inches at Chamberlain, 12.0 inches at Pukwana and 16.3 inches 8 miles south southwest of Chamberlain. With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred.

Damaging winds on the leading edge of thunderstorms broke 3 inch diameter limbs from trees and snapped power poles.

High winds from a westerly direction followed a low pressure system which had brought Christmas Day rain and thunderstorms. There were several reports of power lines and branches down and resulting power outages, as well as damaged traffic lights and signs. The winds included measured sustained winds of 45 mph and a peak gust of 64 mph at Chamberlain Airport.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 50 mph for several hours. A gust to 71 mph was measured at Chamberlain Airport. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

Freezing rain produced ice accumulations, including a quarter inch of ice at Chamberlain. The freezing rain was followed by 3 to 8 inches of snow, including 8 inches 7 1/2 miles south southwest of Chamberlain. Strong northwest winds produced drifting snow and areas of blowing snow. Roads were made very icy before becoming snow covered, there was damage to power lines and resulting power outages, and school classes were cancelled.

Snow accumulating 6 to 9 inches was accompanied by north to northeast winds gusting to around 40 mph. The combination resulted in visibilities frequently lowering to a quarter mile or less and, along with drifting snow, made travel difficult to impossible. Power outages were reported from snow weighting down power lines, and snow laden trees falling on lines.

Snow, beginning briefly as rain, fell from around noon on April 10th to midday on April 11th. The snow accumulated 5 to 8 inches and was accompanied by north winds averaging around 30 mph and gusting to 45 mph. This produced blizzard conditions for much of the time, with zero visibilities and drifting snow making travel impossible. Schools and numerous businesses were forced to close. Power outages were reported as some power lines were downed by the combination of wet snow and strong winds.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage and blew down power lines, resulting in a power outage.