A broad upper level low pressure area over the Upper Midwest associated with an intense surface low pressure area brought widespread heavy snow along with blizzard conditions to central and northeast South Dakota. The storm was a slow mover and produced several rounds of snow over a three-day period. Total snowfall amounts were from 7 to as much as 25 inches. The heavy snow combined with winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts to 50 mph brought widespread blowing and drifting snow with visibilities frequently less than a quarter of a mile.
This blizzard ranked in the top three for the entire state snowfall with a state average of 15.4 inches.  Most of the state received 10 inches of snowfall or more with many locations with 20 inches or more.  Pollock in north central South Dakota set an all-time high three-day snowfall total with 17 inches.
Prior to the onset of the storm, the Governor declared a state of emergency for South Dakota. Large portions of both Interstates 29 and 90 across South Dakota were closed late on Thursday, December 24th. Both Interstates were closed through Christmas Day and into Saturday, December 26th. There were some stranded holiday travelers due to the road closings along with a few rescues. Most roads were reopened by Sunday morning, December 27th. There were also several vehicle accidents with nothing serious. Several airports were also closed throughout the storm along with a few spotty power outages occurring in Lyman county in central South Dakota. The President declared a disaster area for public assistance for several counties in central and north central South Dakota. Costs were estimated in the several hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Total snowfall amounts over the three-day period predominantly ranged from 1 to 2 feet. Snowfall amounts with a foot or more included; 12 inches at Mobridge, Eureka, Waubay, and Eagle Butte; 13 inches at Highmore and Miller; 14 inches at Castlewood, Summit, Watertown, Pierre, and Ree Heights; 15 inches at Groton, Gettysburg, Webster, Wilmot, Hayti, and McLaughlin; 16 inches at McIntosh, east of Hayes and east of Hosmer; 17 inches at Timber Lake, Britton, and Pollock; 18 inches near Victor; 20 inches near Keldron; 22 inches at Murdo; 23 inches at Sisseton and 25 inches at Kennebec.

Blizzard in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 14:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in MARSHALL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in DAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in CLARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HAMLIN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard in CODINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Blizzard in ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-09 15:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement