A strong mid-level trough pushed across the Rockies on January 21, and developed into a closed cyclone across the central Plains.  As low pressure deepened moving from Kansas to the Great Lakes on January 22, precipitation wrapped back into a tight deformation zone on the northwest flank of the storm.  Initially warm enough for rain, colder air rushed in as northwest winds rapidly increased to a gusty 35 to 55 mph and brought a rapid change to snow late on January 21 and early January 22. Widespread visibility of a quarter mile or less with snow, heavy at times, continued through mid afternoon.  Snow amassed to 8 to 13 inches.

Blizzard in LINCOLN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-JAN-18 06:00:00 to 22-JAN-18 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Rain changed to snow around 0000CST January 22, with northwest winds increasing during the early morning to a gusty 25 to 40 mph. Frequent wind gusts along with heavy falling snow produced near zero visibility by daybreak, and continued into mid afternoon. Poor road conditions led several vehicles to slide into the ditch or become stuck, as well as a few jackknifed trucks. State officials issued a no travel advisory around 0700CST, which was enhanced when Interstate 29 was closed from Tea, South Dakota to the Iowa border just after noon. Winds peaked at 40 mph at 1100CST.  Conditions gradually improved toward 1600CST, and eventually Interstate 29 was opened again around 2130CST. Total snowfall was measured at 10.4 inches at Canton.

Blizzard in YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-JAN-18 07:00:00 to 22-JAN-18 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Rain changed to snow around 0000CST January 22, with northwest winds increasing during the early morning to a gusty 25 to 40 mph. Frequent wind gusts along with heavy falling snow produced visibility at a quarter mile or less by daybreak, which continued into mid afternoon. State officials issued a no travel advisory around 0700CST.  Winds peaked at 41 mph at Yankton 0900CST.  Conditions gradually improved toward 1500CST. A foot of snow fell at Yankton.

Blizzard in CLAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-JAN-18 06:00:00 to 22-JAN-18 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Rain changed to snow around 0000CST January 22, with northwest winds increasing during the early morning to a gusty 30 to 40 mph. Frequent wind gusts along with heavy falling snow produced near zero visibility by daybreak, and continued into mid afternoon. State officials issued a no travel advisory and cancelled classes at the University of South Dakota around 0700CST, which was enhanced when Interstate 29 was closed from Tea, South Dakota to the Iowa border just after noon. Winds peaked at 40 mph at 1100CST.  Conditions gradually improved toward 1600CST, and eventually Interstate 29 was opened again around 2130CST. Total snowfall was measured at 12.0 inches at Vermillion.

Blizzard in UNION, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-JAN-18 06:00:00 to 22-JAN-18 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Rain changed to snow around 0000CST January 22, with northwest winds increasing during the early morning to a gusty 35 to 45 mph. Frequent wind gusts along with heavy falling snow produced near zero visibility before daybreak, which continued into mid afternoon. Poor road conditions led several vehicles to slide into the ditch or become stuck, as well as a few jackknifed trucks. State officials issued a no travel advisory around 0700CST, which was enhanced when Interstate 29 was closed from Tea, South Dakota to the Iowa border just after noon. Winds peaked at 40 mph at 1100CST.  Conditions gradually improved toward 1800CST, and eventually Interstate 29 was opened again around 2130CST. Total snowfall was measured at 12.0 inches at Elk Point.