A strong low pressure system developed east of the Rockies in Colorado and then moved through the Great Plains and into the Upper Mississippi Valley from the evening of March 30th through the evening of March 31st. This system produced heavy snow across parts of central and northeastern South Dakota, along with wind gusts of 40 to 55 mph. Some of the heaviest amounts include 18 inches 5 miles north-northwest of Miranda, 16 inches 7 miles east of Hayes, 15 inches 8 miles south-southwest of Highmore, and 14 inches at Wilmot, Faulkton and a mile northwest of Pierre. The result was blizzard conditions over much of central and northeastern South Dakota during the day and evening on March 31st. In addition, this system produced thunderstorms with small hail, sleet, and thundersnow across the area, as well as ice accumulations of over a quarter of an inch across portions of northeastern South Dakota.
Impacts were significant, including widespread school closures, the cancellation of the YMCA Interstate Basketball tournament, widespread impassable or closed roads including I-90 from Wall to Chamberlain beginning at noon on the 31st and I-29 from 2pm on March 31st to noon on April 1st from Watertown to the North Dakota border, a great many stranded vehicles and vehicle accidents, power outages that lasted overnight for many customers, and cattle and ranchers during peak calving season were adversely affected. Finally, the heavy snowfall in Aberdeen was found to have caused the collapse of two-thirds of the Van Slyke building in downtown. A fire also started, but was contained soon thereafter. No injuries were reported. This heavy snow event further set the stage for significant spring flooding.

Blizzard in LYMAN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A COCORAHS observer measured 6 inches of snow 9 miles north of Vivian.

Blizzard in DAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard conditions were reported 2 miles west of Ortley. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 11 inches of snow 3 miles west of Grenville.

Blizzard in STANLEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter observer measured 16 inches of snow 7 miles east of Hayes.

Blizzard in MARSHALL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

The automated weather station in Britton observed blizzard conditions, and a COOP observer measured 6.8 inches of snow there as well.

Blizzard in HUGHES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

The weather station at the Pierre Regional Airport reported blizzard conditions, and the COOP observer there measured 10 inches of snow.

Blizzard in GRANT, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard conditions were reported in Milbank, along with many impassible secondary roads. A COOP observer measured 7 inches of snow a mile northeast of Milbank.

Blizzard in SULLY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard conditions were reported in Onida. A COOP observer measured 13 inches of snow 4 miles northwest of Onida.

Blizzard in ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions were reported 3 miles west of Sisseton. A COOP observer measured 10 inches of snow in Wilmot.

Blizzard in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in POTTER, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard conditions were reported 10 miles south-southwest of Lowry. A member of the public reported 12 inches of snow in Tolstoy.

Blizzard in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Public

Blizzard conditions were reported 2 miles north of Hoven.

Blizzard in HYDE, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Public

Blizzard conditions were reported in Highmore. CoCoRaHS observers both 8 miles south-southwest of Highmore and 17 miles north of Holabird reported 15 inches of snow.

Blizzard in HAND, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard conditions were reported in Miller, and a COOP observer there measured 6 inches of snow.

Blizzard in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Emergency management reported blizzard conditions in Faulkton, and responded to at least 20 stranded vehicles in the area. A CoCoRaHS observer measured 18 inches of snow 5 miles north-northwest of Miranda.

Blizzard in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A COOP observer reported blizzard conditions and measured 8 inches of snow in Ipswich.

Blizzard in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Ground blizzard conditions were reported in Eureka.

Blizzard in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: ASOS

The weather station at the Aberdeen Regional Airport reported blizzard conditions. The official National Weather Service observation there indicated 7.5 inches of snow.

Blizzard in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 14:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Public

Blizzard conditions were reported in Redfield.

Blizzard in CLARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Blizzard in JONES, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 11:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Blizzard conditions were reported in Murdo, and a COOP observer there measured 9.7 inches of snow.

Blizzard in CODINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 31-MAR-23 16:00:00 to 31-MAR-23 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Public