A rapidly strengthening storm developed across the Northern Plains and into the western Great Lakes on March 16-17. An initial band of precipitation developed during the early morning hours of March 16 from eastern South Dakota into southwestern Minnesota. While precipitation started in many locations as light rain or brief light freezing rain, a sharp fall in temperatures in the morning hours forced a change to a couple hours of heavy snowfall, accompanied by increasing northerly wind. With most ditches already full and snow depths the morning of March 16 between 5 and 15 inches near and north of Interstate 90, the new snowfall and winds which gusted as high as 45 to 55 mph led to the very rapid development of significant snow drifts and widespread blowing snow with near-blizzard conditions, on top of the added hazard of a flash freeze.
Wind diminished after 6 pm March 16, but strengthened again during the afternoon of March 17, with very brief visibility of a quarter mile or less at many exposed locations. I-90 west of Sioux Falls and I-29 north of Sioux Falls were closed, along with no travel recommendations on secondary roads, into early Saturday morning.

Winter Weather in LAKE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 03:30:00 to 17-MAR-23 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 1.2 inches at COOP site MRFS2 in Madison. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 44 mph at Automated Weather Observing System site KMDS at Madison, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in MCCOOK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 3.5 inches at the COOP site in Montrose, 3.1 inches at the COOP site near Salem, and 2.5 inches at the COOP site in Bridgewater. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 44 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD547 near Montrose, resulting in periodic visibility of one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in TURNER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 4.3 inches at the COOP site in Marion and 2.8 inches at a CoCoRaHS site in Hurley. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 47 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD605 near Parker, resulting in periodic visibility of one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in UNION, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 08:00:00 to 16-MAR-23 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 2.0 inches at the COOP site in Vermillion. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon with gusts as high as 47 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD508 near Beresford and 46 mph at SD550 in North Sioux City, resulting in periodic visibility of one mile or less.

Winter Weather in HANSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 03:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 1.0 inch at the COOP site in Alexandria. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 37 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD502 near Alexandria, resulting in periodic visibility of one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in less than one-tenth of an inch icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 3.5 inches at the CoCoRaHS site near Bruce, 3.0 inches near White, and 2.5 inches at Brookings. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 46 mph at Automated Weather Observing System site KBKX at Brookings and 39 mph at South Dakota State Mesonet site VGAS2 at Volga, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in SANBORN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 02:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 3.3 inches at the COOP site near Forestburg. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 43 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD527 near Forestburg, resulting in periodic visibility around one mile.  After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in HUTCHINSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 05:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 3.0 inches at a CoCoRaHS site in Parkston and 2.1 inches at the COOP site in Menno. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 42 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD570 near Tripp and 41 mph at SD530 near Freeman, resulting in periodic visibility of one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in LINCOLN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 3.1 inches at the COOP site in Canton. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 47 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD519 10 miles east of Davis, resulting in periodic visibility of one-half to one mile. Slick roads lingering into the morning of March 17 as a result of drifting and flash freeze caused a driver to lose control of their vehicle on 276th St. around 3 miles southeast of Tea.  The vehicle crossed the center line where it struck a semi-truck and resulted in the indirect fatality of the driver of the passenger vehicle. Winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon of March 17 with occasional convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in AURORA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 02:30:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a glaze of icing, prior to a period of  snowfall that accumulated to 1.4 inches at the COOP observer at White Lake.  Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 47 mph at the South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD553 near Plankinton and 39 mph at South Dakota State Mesonet site WTES2 at White Lake, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile.  After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.
With a secondary increase in wind and snow, a pile-up accident on Interstate 90 with 5 indirect injuries occurred near White Lake later on March 17. Twelve passenger vehicles and 12 semi-trucks were involved directly in the accident.

Winter Weather in KINGSBURY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 03:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in less than one-tenth of an inch icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 3.2 inches at a CoCoRaHS site 9 miles south-southwest of Arlington and 2.0 inches at De Smet. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 43 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD504 near Arlington, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in CHARLES MIX, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall accumulated to 4.0 inches at the CoCoRaHS site at Wagner and 3.0 inches at the COOP site at Platte. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 44 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD554 13 miles west of Platte, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in GREGORY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 02:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall accumulated during the morning of March 16 at the COOP sites at Gregory to 4.0 inches and 2.5 inches near Pickstown. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 to gusts as high as 40 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD589 near Dixon and 39 mph near Dallas, resulting in a brief period of visibility around one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the morning and midday with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to around one-half mile.

Winter Weather in BON HOMME, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 06:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 3.1 inches at the COOP site at Tyndall and 1.5 inches 8 miles west-northwest of Springfield. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 41 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD571 near Tyndall, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in BRULE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 03:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall accumulated during the morning of March 16 at CoCoRaHS sites to 1.3 inches at Chamberlain and 1.0 inches near Pukwana. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 40 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD537 at Kimball and 36 mph at the Automated Weather Observing System site K9V9 at Chamberlain, resulting in a brief period of visibility around one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and midday with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in YANKTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 07:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 2.0 inches at the COOP site at Yankton. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 49 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD532 near Gayville and 45 mph at Automated Weather Observing System site KYKN in Yankton, resulting in brief visibility reduction to one-quarter to one-half mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in MINER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 03:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 1.0 inches at a CoCoRaHS site 5 miles west of Howard. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 38 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD597 near Howard, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in MOODY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 2.2 inches at COOP site FLAS2 in Flandreau. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 49 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD577 15 miles west of Ward and 43 mph at South Dakota State Mesonet Site FLNS2 at Flandreau, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile.  After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in DOUGLAS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 04:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall accumulated to 4.8 inches at the CoCoRaHS site 10 miles west of Dimock. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 48 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD601 near Corsica, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with occasional convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in BEADLE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 02:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 2.5 inches at Huron and the COOP observer near Wessington.  Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 to gusts as high as 43 mph at the Automated Surface Observing System site KHON at Huron, 42 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD515 near Cavour, and 38 mph at SD582 near Wolsey, resulting in periodic visibility from one-half to one mile.  After winds eased a bit overnight and early morning on March 17 with lesser impacts, stronger winds again along with convective snow showers resulted in brief visibility reduction to one-half mile or less at times from 0730-1700LST.

Winter Weather in DAVISON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 02:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in less than one-tenth of an inch of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 1.8 inches at the COOP site in Mitchell. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 44 mph at Automated Surface Observing System site KMHE at Mitchell, resulting in periodic visibility of one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with frequent convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one-half mile or less.

Winter Weather in MINNEHAHA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 06:30:00 to 17-MAR-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a light glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 4.6 inches at the COOP site in Colton, 3.0 inches at a CoCoRaHS site near Hartford, and 2.4 inches at the NWS office in Sioux Falls. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 46 mph at Automated Surface Observing System site KFSD in Sioux Falls and 46 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD520 near Dell Rapids, resulting in periodic visibility of one-half to one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the afternoon with occasional convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in JERAULD, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 03:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 1.0 inch at the COOP site at Wessington Springs. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 46 mph at South Dakota Road Weather Information System site SD603 near Lane, resulting in periodic visibility around one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and early afternoon with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.

Winter Weather in CLAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 16-MAR-23 08:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A brief period of light freezing rain resulted in a glaze of icing, prior to a period of snowfall that accumulated to 2.0 inches at the COOP sites 6 miles southeast of Centerville and at Vermillion. Northerly wind increased by the afternoon of March 16 with gusts as high as 42 mph at South Dakota State Mesonet site BFMS2 7 miles west-southwest of Beresford, resulting in brief visibility reduction to less than one mile. After winds decreased overnight and early morning of March 17 with minimal impacts, winds increased again during the later morning and afternoon with a few convective snow showers that briefly reduced visibility at times to one mile or less.