An intense surface low pressure area brought scattered showers and thunderstorms along with heavy snow to much of central and north central South Dakota from the 5th to the 6th. There were some instances of thundersnow reported. The scattered showers and thunderstorms moved across the region during the early morning hours of the 5th while widespread heavy snow and very strong northwest winds developed by mid morning on the 5th. Northwest winds gusting to 40 to 60 mph brought near whiteout conditions.  In fact, Pierre had a visibility of less than quarter mile from 8 am CST to 11 pm CST on the 5th. The blizzard and heavy snow resulted in closed businesses, schools, government offices, nearly impossible travel with several accidents reported, along with closed highways and Insterstate-90.  Many activities and events were also postponed or cancelled.
Some snowfall amounts from across the region include, 3 inches at Kennebec and Murdo; 6 inches at Gann Valley; 7 inches at Timber Lake and Pollock; 8 inches at Miller, Mobridge, and Gettysburg; 9 inches at Pierre and southwest of Harrold; 10 inches northeast of Java; and 12 inches at Herreid.
Due to the track of the surface low pressure area, the eastern part of our region experienced mainly very heavy snow with much less wind. Therefore, refer to the winter storm entry for March 5th and 6th for more information.

Blizzard in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 09:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 09:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 08:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 08:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 07:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 05:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 05:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 09:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 08:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 08:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 07:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 07:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 05-MAR-18 07:00:00 to 06-MAR-18 11:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement