Power Outage in Watertown, SD

A strong low pressure system developed east of the Rockies in Colorado and then moved through the Great Plains and into the Upper Mississippi Valley from the evening of March 30th through the evening of March 31st. This system produced freezing rain during the late morning and afternoon on the 31st, with accumulations of a quarter inch or more across Deuel, Codington, Grant and Hamlin Counties. Some of the highest ice measurements include half an inch 3 miles south of Brandt and a third of an inch 4 miles south of Strandburg. Impacts from the ice included treacherous road conditions and localized power outages. In addition, this system produced wind gusts of 45 to 55 mph, thunderstorms with small hail, sleet, thundersnow, and blizzard conditions across the area.

March 31, 2023

Freezing drizzle began across much of central and northeastern South Dakota during the day on Monday, December 12th, in response to an incoming area of strong low pressure. By the evening, a glaze of ice had formed on surfaces leading to hazardous travel conditions. Freezing rain then fell across and near the Prairie Coteau from Monday night into the day Tuesday, December 13th leading to significant ice accumulations of generally a quarter to half inch. Winds were easterly during the event, and gusted generally between 20 to 30 mph, occasionally up to 40 mph. Impacts were severe, including school closures, many vehicle accidents, tree damage, power outages involving over a thousand customers at any given time for multiple days, and the collapse of the KDLO transmitter tower near Garden City.||The ice storm was just one component of a highly impactful, major winter storm. This storm was severe, widespread and prolonged in nature, and produced freezing rain, heavy snow and/or blizzard conditions from December 12th through 16th across the region. A Major Disaster Declaration was declared on February 27th by Governor Noem for several counties across central and northeastern South Dakota for winter weather from December 12-25th.

December 12, 2022

Thunderstorm Wind. Eleven power poles were broken or tipped over along a 2/3 mile stretch of Highway 212. All of the poles were in a swampy area or in water. The damage was just south of a recreation area that also saw a few trees uprooted and a camper tipped over.

May 12, 2022

Thunderstorm Wind. Trees and power lines were downed by strong wind gusts estimated at upwards of 80 mph. The nearby Watertown Airport weather station reported a peak wind of 76 mph.

May 12, 2022

A powerful low pressure system brought damaging high winds, blizzard conditions, and areas of blowing dust from April 12th to April 14th. The combination of heavy snowfall and high winds produced blizzard conditions in Corson and Dewey counties in north-central South Dakota. Snowfall amounts ranged from 6.7 inches in McLaughlin, to 9 inches 14 miles NNE from Isabel, to 14 inches in Keldron. The snowfall and sustained winds of 45 mph with gusts exceeding 55 mph produce over six feet high snowdrifts. The blizzard caused the death of newborn livestock in north-central South Dakota. Mail was delayed in portions of north-central South Dakota as trucks could not leave Bismarck due to dangerous road conditions. The storm canceled many school activities in north-central South Dakota. In eastern South Dakota, snowfall amounts at or below one inch combined with high winds to produce blizzard conditions, especially in the open country areas. The blizzard significantly impacted travel - The Watertown Police Department recommended no travel advised within the city limits. There were additional reports of people pulled over in Clark County on Highway 212 and Interstate 29 between Watertown and South Shore due to zero visibility. Numerous school activities were canceled, and businesses closed early due to the horrific weather conditions. Some area schools were delayed or closed on the 14th.

April 14, 2022

A new report warns energy companies may be running into winter supply shortfalls in parts of the U.S. — Sioux Falls… https://t.co/lVZQM7JqIQ

@PublicOpinionSD - November 30, 2022 13:55

@RandyRRQuaid We, here in South Dakota, who produce FAR more electricity than we use thanks to our Wind, Solar, Hyd… https://t.co/OPXmAjsfWG

@RealLeeBruns - November 26, 2022 18:18

Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear said he expects deaths to rise into the double digits, calling it one of "the worst, mos… https://t.co/PwlUUFVnEF

@PublicOpinionSD - July 29, 2022 13:06

Another derecho blew through this week, causing power outages and damaging structures. https://t.co/eZ1893owuo

@MyKXLG - July 07, 2022 11:59

Storms with high winds caused damage and power outages across the region both Monday and Tuesday mornings. Next up… https://t.co/5szZ0WSQlk

@PublicOpinionSD - June 14, 2022 23:01