An intense surface low pressure area and strong cold front brought high winds along with light rain and snow to central, north central, and into part of northeast South Dakota from late on December 22nd into December 23rd. The system tracked from west to east across the region, with the snow and light rain occurring during the overnight/early morning hours. Snowfall amounts of 1 to 5 inches combined with the high winds brought periods of reduced visibility across the region. Warm temperatures in advance of the precipitation led to flash freezing on road surfaces. The flash freezing/icing along with the extremely strong northerly winds gusting to 50 to 70 mph and lowered visibility created hazardous travel conditions.  The highest wind gusts included, 65 mph at Stephan and Reliance; 66 mph 17 miles west of Polo; and 69 mph 10 miles west of Long Lake.
The temperatures dropped significantly behind the system. In fact, above normal and even record temperatures ranging from the 50s to low 70s on Tuesday, December 22nd had dropped 40 to 50 degrees by the late afternoon of Wednesday, December 23rd.

High Wind in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 03:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 51.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 23:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 23:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High Wind in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

High Wind in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High Wind in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 04:30:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 23:45:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High Wind in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-DEC-20 23:45:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

High Wind in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 08:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 07:15:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 60.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 09:30:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 09:30:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

High Wind in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 04:30:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 57.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 09:15:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in BUFFALO, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 09:15:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 56.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

High Wind in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 23-DEC-20 10:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 14:30:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 52.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet