A historic late-season, multi-day winter storm developed rapidly across the central Plains on Wednesday, April 10. This system spiraled several periods of wintry precipitation through the region.  The leading precipitation on April 10 was a mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet from far eastern South Dakota through the Interstate 90 areas of southwest Minnesota and northwest Iowa, changing to snow to the north and west.  There were even a few elevated thunderstorms which occurred overnight on April 10-11 and produced some near severe hail, which actually occurred after some initial wintry precipitation.  Significant icing was centered around 30 miles either side of the Interstate 90 corridor, with as much as a third to three-quarters inch ice accumulation.
Heavy snowfall developed from the early morning of April 11 and continued into the early morning of April 12 across much of southeast South Dakota into northern portions of southwest Minnesota, which accumulated to 1 to 2 feet during the storm.  The most persistent snowfall occurred for areas west to north of Sioux Falls, but even there, a brief period of freezing rain or sleet occurred at some point ahead of the main upper trough passage.
The other aspect of this storm was the intense winds, which gusted at the peak from 40 to 60 mph, producing widespread blizzard conditions to southeast South Dakota and southwest Minnesota.  Considerable power outages occurred as transmission lines succumbed to the ice accumulation and wind.  At the peak, electric companies and cooperatives estimated as many as 25,000 customers were without power.  Many areas were without power for a day or two due to the intensity of the storm.  The strong winds lofted dust from the Texas/Oklahoma panhandles which caused some of the snowfall toward the latter portions of the event to fall with a brownish color.

Blizzard in MINER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 02:00:00 to 11-APR-19 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall reached 10 to 15 inches, with 13.4 inches at Howard. With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, snow drifts to several feet made many roads impassable. Ice accumulated to one to two tenths of an inch, with winds resulting in spotty power outages.

Blizzard in AURORA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 02:00:00 to 12-APR-19 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 59.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half inch occurred prior to snowfall. Storm-total snowfall from 10 to 15 inches occurred, with 15.0 inches 4 miles southwest of Stickney, 13.8 inches at Plankinton and 12.0 inches at White Lake.  With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred. Property damage costs include damage to public infrastructure and utilities.

Blizzard in SANBORN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 02:00:00 to 12-APR-19 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall reached 12 to 20 inches, with 18.0 inches at Forestburg and Woonsocket.  With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, snow drifts to several feet made many roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred.

Blizzard in BON HOMME, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 11-APR-19 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall from 8 to 15 inches occurred, with 10.5 inches at Tyndall. With winds gusting at times over 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred, resulting in spotty power outages as wind increased.

Winter Storm in TURNER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 10-APR-19 12:00:00 to 12-APR-19 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 48.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Ice accumulation and near blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the extremely hazardous conditions.  A period of freezing rain, sleet and snow resulted in ice accumulations starting the afternoon of April 10 through early April 11 of one-third to one-half inch. As winds increased and gusted as high as 59 mph at Sioux Falls, widespread power outages resulted as power poles snapped and transmission lines were downed. Several communities were without power at times between the evening of April 10 and April 12,  including Marion, Parker, Dolton and Viborg. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.
A large gradient in storm-total snowfall from 2 to 10 inches occurred, with 9.3 inches at Marion and 4.5 inches at Hurley.  Some areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable.

Blizzard in BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 11-APR-19 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 29 was closed from the evening of April 10 through noon on April 12. Storm-total snowfall from 7 to 18 inches occurred, with 18.0 inches 2 miles south southeast of Astoria, 16.0 inches 5 miles west of Bruce, 10.3 inches at Brookings and 7.8 inches near White. With winds gusting at times from 40 to 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation up to a tenth of an inch occurred, resulting in spotty power outages as wind increased.

Winter Storm in YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 10-APR-19 07:00:00 to 12-APR-19 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Ice accumulation and near blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the extremely hazardous conditions. A period of freezing rain, sleet and snow resulted in ice accumulations starting the afternoon of April 10 through early April 11 of one to two tenths of an inch. As winds increased and gusted as high as 40 mph at Yankton, scattered power outages resulted as power lines were brought down.
A large gradient in storm-total snowfall from 2 to 12 inches occurred, with 11.0 inches 10 miles north of Lesterville and 4.0 inches at Yankton. Some areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads nearly impassable.

Winter Storm in MINNEHAHA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 10-APR-19 14:00:00 to 12-APR-19 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 735.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Ice accumulation and near blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the extremely hazardous conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from Sioux Falls westward, and Interstate 29 was closed from Sioux Falls northward from the evening of April 10 through noon on April 12.  A period of freezing rain, sleet and snow resulted in ice accumulations starting the afternoon of April 10 through early April 11 of one-half to three-quarters of an inch.  As winds increased and gusted as high as 59 mph at Sioux Falls, widespread power outages resulted as power poles snapped and transmission lines were downed.
Up to 10,000 customers around Sioux Falls were without power at times between the evening of April 10 and April 12, as well as the communities of Humboldt and Hartford where warming shelters were established by local government. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.
Storm-total snowfall from 2 to 7 inches occurred, with 6.5 inches at Wall Lake, 6.0 inches at Colton, 5.2 inches at the Sioux Falls Airport and 3.8 inches near Garretson. Many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable.

Blizzard in BRULE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 01:00:00 to 11-APR-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred prior to snowfall. Storm-total snowfall from 10 to 17 inches occurred, with 10.8 inches at Chamberlain, 12.0 inches at Pukwana and 16.3 inches 8 miles south southwest of Chamberlain. With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred.

Winter Storm in LINCOLN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 10-APR-19 14:00:00 to 12-APR-19 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 38.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Ice accumulation and near blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the extremely hazardous conditions.  A period of freezing rain, sleet and snow resulted in ice accumulations starting the afternoon of April 10 through early April 11 of one-quarter to one-half inch.  As winds increased and gusted as high as 59 mph at Sioux Falls, scattered power outages resulted as power transmission lines were downed. Up to 10,000 customers around Sioux Falls were without power at times between the evening of April 10 and April 12, as well as the communities of Harrisburg, Lennox, Tea, Canton, Fairview, Beresford and Worthing. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.
Storm-total snowfall from 1 to 6 inches occurred, with 5.5 inches at Canton and southern Sioux Falls.

Ice Storm in CLAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 10-APR-19 15:00:00 to 11-APR-19 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Ice accumulated to a quarter to half inch across the northern portions of Clay County. Irene reported a half inch of ice accumulation, and as winds increased during the overnight and early day on April 11, scattered power outages resulted as stress from ice accumulation took down power lines.  Snowfall toward the end of the storm produced accumulations of 1 to 4 inches, with 1.0 inches at Vermillion and 1.2 inches 5 miles south southeast of Centerville.

Ice Storm in UNION, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 10-APR-19 15:00:00 to 11-APR-19 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Ice accumulated to a quarter to half inch across the northern portions of Union County. Areas near Beresford and Alcester reported a quarter to half inch of ice accumulation, and as winds increased during the overnight and early day on April 11, scattered power outages resulted as stress from ice accumulation took down power lines.  Snowfall toward the end of the storm was minimal, from a trace to 2 inches. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.

Blizzard in BEADLE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 01:00:00 to 12-APR-19 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions.  Almost unprecedented amounts of storm-total snowfall occurred, with amounts of 18.0 inches at Huron, 25.0 inches 2 miles southeast of Wessington (second greatest 3-day snowfall total on record) and 29.8 inches near Hitchcock.  With winds gusting up to 51 mph at Huron, many areas had snow drifts of 5 to 10 feet, making roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred.

Blizzard in GREGORY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 02:00:00 to 11-APR-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions.  Storm-total snowfall from 8 to 15 inches occurred, with 14.0 inches at Gregory, 12.2 inches 4 miles southwest of Burke and 12.0 inches at Bonesteel.  With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred, resulting in spotty power outages as wind increased.

Blizzard in LAKE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 11-APR-19 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 2.88M
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall reached 6 to 15 inches, with 12.5 inches at Madison. With winds gusting at times to 40 to 50 mph, snow drifts to several feet made many roads impassable. Ice accumulated to one-quarter to one-half inch, with numerous power lines brought down as wind increased. The city of Madison was without power from late April 10 into the morning of April 11. Property damage costs include damage utilities.

Blizzard in MOODY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 11-APR-19 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 840.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 29 was closed from the evening of April 10 through noon on April 12. Storm-total snowfall from 4 to 8 inches occurred, with 8.0 inches 11 miles north of Colman and 5.4 inches at Flandreau. With winds gusting at times from 40 to 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half inch occurred, resulting in scattered power outages as wind increased. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.

Blizzard in CHARLES MIX, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 02:00:00 to 11-APR-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall from 10 to 18 inches occurred, with 17.0 inches at Wagner, 13.0 inches at Platte and 12.0 inches 2 miles northeast of Academy. With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred, resulting in spotty power outages as wind increased.

Blizzard in DAVISON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 12-APR-19 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 94.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half inch occurred prior to snowfall. Storm-total snowfall from 10 to 18 inches occurred, with 17.0 inches at Mount Vernon and 16.2 inches at Mitchell, matching the April 2-day maximum snowfall on record.  Winds gusted at Mitchell as high as 69 mph, and many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.

Blizzard in DOUGLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 11-APR-19 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall from 12 to 20 inches occurred, with 18.0 inches 10 miles west of Dimock, 14.0 inches 2 miles south of Armour and 13.0 inches 5 miles west of Armour.  With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred, resulting in spotty power outages as wind increased.

Blizzard in HANSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 11-APR-19 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 19.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half inch occurred prior to snowfall. Storm-total snowfall from 8 to 14 inches occurred, with 11.5 inches at Alexandria, third highest 3-day April snowfall on record. Winds gusted at Mitchell as high as 69 mph, and many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.

Blizzard in HUTCHINSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 03:00:00 to 11-APR-19 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Storm-total snowfall from 8 to 16 inches occurred, with 14.0 inches at Parkston and 10.0 inches at Menno and 11 miles south of Emery. With winds gusting at times over 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one to two tenths of an inch occurred, resulting in spotty power outages as wind increased. Power was lost for numerous hours for the communities and areas surrounding Freeman and Menno.

Blizzard in MCCOOK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 05:00:00 to 11-APR-19 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 296.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Interstate 90 was closed from late on April 10 through noon on April 12. Storm-total snowfall from 7 to 14 inches occurred, with 14.0 inches at Bridgewater, the highest 3-day April snowfall on record. Winds gusted at times from 50 to 60 mph, and many areas had snow drifts of several feet, making roads impassable. Ice accumulation of one-quarter to one-half inch occurred prior to snowfall, and numerous power outages occurred as wind increased.  Power was lost for the communities of Bridgewater, Canistota, Montrose and Salem, as well as surrounding areas, with some customers without power for more than two days. Property damage costs include damage to utilities.

Blizzard in JERAULD, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 01:00:00 to 12-APR-19 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Almost unprecedented amounts of storm-total snowfall occurred, with the 3-day snowfall of 20.0 inches at Wessington Springs the second greatest 3-day snowfall total on record.  With winds gusting to around 50 mph, many areas had snow drifts of 5 to 10 feet, making many roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred.

Blizzard in KINGSBURY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 11-APR-19 02:00:00 to 12-APR-19 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard conditions led to a shutdown of government offices and schools, and travel was not recommended due to the widespread whiteout conditions. Almost unprecedented amounts of storm-total snowfall occurred, with the 3-day snowfall of 26.5 inches at De Smet and 19.8 inches at Iroquois both setting the second greatest 3-day snowfall total on record for the site. With winds gusting at times to around 50 mph, snow drifts to several feet made many roads impassable. Spotty power outages occurred.