A vigorous and fast moving upper level system moved through the region and brought 1 to 5 inches of snow along with very strong northwest winds. The snow combined with winds gusting over 60 mph brought widespread blizzard conditions. Visibilities were frequently below a quarter mile with reports of whiteout conditions. In addition, Arctic air surging in resulted in the temperatures falling over 30 degrees from the early morning to the mid afternoon of the 12th. Travel conditions were difficult, if not, impossible across the area and many schools were closed.
The high winds in the blizzard also caused some damage across the area. The high winds ripped the secondary roof off the old shop building at the McIntosh school. The winds also blew down a building under construction in Pierre and ripped a part of the steel roof off the grandstand at the Sully County Fairgrounds. Some snowfall amounts included, 2 inches at McLaughlin and Onida; 3 inches at Pollock; 4 inches at Britton, Bryant, and Gettysburg. Some of the highest wind gusts included, 49 mph at Aberdeen; 55 mph at Eagle Butte and Mobridge; 56 mph at Pierre; and 63 mph 13 miles north of Vivian.

Blizzard in GRANT, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 04:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in DEUEL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 04:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 00:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 22:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-JAN-09 21:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in CLARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 02:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 02:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in CODINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 04:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in HAMLIN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 04:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard in MARSHALL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 02:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in DAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 02:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement