Power Outage in Newell, SD

A powerful winter storm moved slowly across the central and northern Plains to the upper Midwest; bringing heavy snow, some mixed precipitation, strong winds, and periods of blizzard or near blizzard conditions across the plains for a multi-day period. Snowfall was heaviest from northwestern to south central South Dakota and across the northern Black Hills. Precipitation started as a mix in the form of rain, freezing rain, and freezing drizzle across much of the plains, then changed to snow in most areas by the daytime hours on the 13th. Bands of snow were moderate to heavy at times in many areas, with a very prolonged period of upslope enhanced snowfall across the northern Black Hills. Amounts across the area ranged from one foot to over two feet across much of the plains, with the highest amounts generally from Oglala Lakota County into parts of south central South Dakota. Lesser amounts were noted over portions of southwestern South Dakota, from Rapid City and the central Black Hills to Fall River County, due to predominant downslope winds. The highest amounts were noted across the northern Black Hills area, where 18 to 36 inches were recorded in many areas, with favored locations across the higher elevations received three to four feet or more over several days. Wind gusts of 40 to over 60 mph caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, with drifts to ten feet noted on the plains. Interstate 90 was closed from the Wyoming/South Dakota state line to the Missouri River for more than three days, with travel on many secondary roads becoming very difficult to impossible on the plains and the northern Black Hills area. Six deaths reported in Todd and Mellette counties, mostly due to medical emergencies in which emergency services were unable to reach these people in time. However, two people died due to hypothermia from exposure to the cold.

December 13, 2022

A significant wind event occurred from the early morning through the late day. Strong west to southwest winds developed during the early morning hours across parts of the Black Hills and foothills, when gusts of 60 to over 70 mph were recorded. A strong cold front then moved through from northwest to southeast during the morning and early afternoon. Wind gusts of 60 to over 80 mph developed and persisted through the late day. The strong winds downed some trees and caused isolated power outages in the Black Hills. The winds also helped spread significant wildfires near Mount Rushmore and just west of Rapid City.

March 29, 2021

A strong winter storm impacted much of western and south central South Dakota, especially the Black Hills area and southwestern South Dakota. Snow lifted slowly north into southern South Dakota during the morning and midday hours, with the most impactful snow near and south of interstate 90. Snow tapered off during the late night and morning hours. Snowfall amounts of six to 12 inches were common across these areas, with one to two feet over parts of the southern Black Hills and far southwestern South Dakota. The heavy, wet snow, combined with wind gusts over 40 mph, produced blizzard or near blizzard conditions across parts of southwestern South Dakota, along with power outages.

March 14, 2021

An intense low pressure system slowly crossed the region, bringing a prolonged period of very strong northwesterly winds. A tight pressure gradient remained across the Northern Plains, with 36 hours of strong winds over much of the western South Dakota plains. Gusts of 60 to 80 mph were reported across much of the area, with a few higher gusts from Buffalo to the Rapid City area. Some minor damage resulted with isolated power outages and tractor trailers were tipped over on Interstate 90.

January 13, 2021

A very strong cold front moved through the region during the late afternoon and nighttime hours. The strongest winds occurred during the overnight hours when wind gusts of 60 to 70 mph were recorded across much of western and south central South Dakota, with a few gusts around 75 mph in the Rapid City area. Some tree limbs were downed and minor power outages reported.

December 23, 2020