A strong Alberta Clipper low pressure system tracked southeast through the northern plains on Tuesday night, January 5th through Wednesday, January 6th. Sufficient Pacific moisture interacted with bitter cold Arctic air surging south from Canada resulting in widespread snowfall over much of central and north central South Dakota.
Snowfall amounts generally ranged from 2 to 9 inches of fluffy snow. The snowfall began across central and north central South Dakota from the late afternoon through the late evening of the 5th. As the system tracked east, behind it strong north to northwest winds gusted to as high as 50 mph resulting in widespread blizzard conditions with near whiteout conditions at times.  In fact, Interstate 90 across Jones and Lyman counties was closed for a time due to poor travel conditions. Schools throughout the region were also closed on the 6th, with some closed on the 7th.  While there were several accidents reported, none resulted in major injures. The snow along with the strong winds also collapsed a hay shed.  Some snowfall amounts included, 2 inches at Blunt and Timber Lake; 4 inches at Gettysburg and east of Hayes; 6 inches at Pierre, McLaughlin and Pollock; 7 inches at Gann Valley, Murdo, Eureka, Mobridge, Leola, Faulkton, and Ipswich, and 9 inches near McIntosh and Roscoe.

Blizzard in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 09:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Broadcast Media

Blizzard in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 17:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 15:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Blizzard in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 17:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 14:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 15:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 12:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Blizzard in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 15:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 11:15:00 to 06-JAN-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 10:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 12:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 15:00:00 to 07-JAN-10 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 09:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Blizzard in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 06-JAN-10 09:00:00 to 06-JAN-10 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer