Strong north to northwest winds, gusting to over 50 mph, combined with existing loose snow cover and 1 to 3 inches of new snow to produce blizzard conditions with widespread visibilities near zero over parts of southeast South Dakota during the day and early evening of January 12th. The very low visibilities were widespread where the greatest loose snow cover was located, and more localized in other areas.

Blizzard in MOODY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Blizzard in CLAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 14:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Blizzard in UNION, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 14:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Winter Weather in AURORA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in HANSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 10:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in MCCOOK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 11:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in BON HOMME, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in HUTCHINSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 11:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in MCCOOK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in MINNEHAHA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in LINCOLN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 13:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Blizzard in KINGSBURY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 10:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Blizzard in MINER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 10:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Blizzard in LAKE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Blizzard in BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Blizzard in BEADLE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Blizzard in SANBORN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close.

Winter Weather in DOUGLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile.

Winter Weather in JERAULD, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile. A peak wind gust of 56 mph was recorded in the northwestern part of Jerauld County, 15 miles northwest of Wessington Springs.

Blizzard in YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 14:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

North to northwest winds sustained at 30 to 40 mph with gusts over 50 mph combined with several inches of loose snow cover, along with 1 to 3 inches of new snow, to produce widespread visibilities of a quarter mile or less in blowing snow. The low visibilities and drifting snow made travel impossible in many areas, and forced schools and businesses to close. A peak wind gust of 56 mph was recorded at Yankton.

Winter Weather in DAVISON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 12-JAN-09 09:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

North to northwest winds gusting to around 50 mph, existing snow cover, and 1 to 2 inches of new snow produced areas of blowing snow with local visibilities below a quarter mile. A peak gust of 53 mph was recorded at Mitchell.