Power Outage in Pipestone, MN

Numerous power outages were reported around Pipestone with tree limbs down.

Blizzard conditions and ice accumulations led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended with many roads closed due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall from 4 to 10 inches occurred, with 6.0 inches near Edgerton and 5.5 inches at Pipestone. With winds gusting at times from 45 to 55 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation from a tenth to a third of an inch occurred, and helped to produce scattered power outages as wind increased. Damage costs are rough estimates due to utility costs.

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, and traffic lights and some signs were damaged. The winds included a peak gust of 59 mph at Pipestone Airport.

Westerly winds behind a cold front reach sustained speed of 40 to 45 mph for several hours. The high winds caused spotty power line and traffic light damage.

Freezing rain produced ice accumulations, estimated at one quarter inch. The freezing rain was followed by 1 to 2 inches of snow, including 1.5 inches 5 miles north of Pipestone. Strong northwest winds produced some drifting snow. Roads were made very icy, there was damage to power lines and resulting power outages, and school classes were cancelled.

An extended period of precipitation began with freezing rain producing light to moderate ice accumulations, then changing to sleet and then snow, with sleet and snow accumulations reaching 13.7 inches at Pipestone. The combination of ice accumulations and wind brought down several branches, limbs, and power lines, blocking some roads and causing a few power outages. The winter precipitation made travel very difficult, resulting in schools and businesses being forced to close.

Snow, beginning as rain and freezing rain, fell from just after noon on April 10th to the very early morning of April 11th. The snow accumulated 2 to 6 inches with the greatest accumulations over the northern part of the county. The snow was accompanied by north winds averaging around 30 mph and gusting to 45 mph. This produced blizzard conditions, with zero visibilities and drifting snow making travel impossible. Schools and numerous businesses were forced to close. A few power outages were reported as power lines fell from the weight of the wet snow and the strong winds.

New snowfall of 12 to 15 inches beginning early morning on March 1st and continuing into the night of March 2nd was accompanied by sustained winds of over 30 mph at times with gusts over 40 mph. The combination of new snow, wind, and an already existing fresh snow cover resulted in a blizzard with widespread near zero visibilities. Drifting snow with the storm helped make travel impossible to extremely difficult. As a result, some who did attempt to travel became stuck or slid off roads. Schools and school activities were cancelled and numerous businesses closed. A few power outages were reported as the heavy snow and strong winds brought down power lines. The blizzard conditions abated early on the morning of March 3rd.|

Widespread freezing rain produced ice accumulations near or above a quarter inch on February 24th. The icing made travel extremely difficult. The precipitation changed to snow late on the 24th, with snow accumulating 5 to 8 inches before ending by early afternoon on February 25th. The snow accumulations on top of the ice made travel impossible in places. The combination also caused tree branches and a few power lines to break, producing scattered power outages. Some weekend school activities were cancelled, as were several Sunday church services.

Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several trees blown down. At least one fallen tree blocked a street. Trees falling on power lines caused a power outage.

Thunderstorm winds blew down power lines near state highway 30 just east of the South Dakota state line.