A strong low pressure system developing close to the Gulf of Mexico lifted north and then west into southeast South Dakota, resulting in heavy precipitation and strong winds. While initially snow and freezing drizzle, warm and humid air pushing into the region from the east resulted in precipitation changing over to more widespread freezing rain and rain east of the Missouri river.
Atmospheric moisture associated with the system was significantly above normal for mid-winter. Moisture over the course of the 2-3 day event measured 2.82 inches in LaBolt, 2.68 inches in Milbank, 2.53 inches 6 miles north of Browns Valley and 2.44 inches 2 miles east of Sisseton. Daily records for moisture were set at the Sisseton Municipal Airport on both December 25th and December 26th at 1.43 and 1.17 inches respectively.
The ice was just one component of a highly impactful winter storm that occurred during a major travel holiday. Winds topped out at 57 mph at the DOT station in Lake City, with numerous other reports of wind gusts at or above 50 mph. The combination of ice and strong winds resulted in numerous reports of tree damage and power interruptions. One NWS employee lost power to their house for 3 hours during the storm, while the northern portions of the Sisseton hills witnessed numerous line failures.
In addition to tree damage and power outages caused by this storm, travel was severely impacted by icy road conditions. Numerous Emergency Managers issued no travel advised for their counties, and several accidents were reported. Road conditions remained icy into Wednesday, December 27th, thanks to lingering light precipitation. This included a stretch of Interstate 29 which was blocked by a jackknifed semi during the evening commute.

Ice Storm in EDMUNDS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A National Weather Service employee observed almost every tree in the town had experience storm damage in the form of downed limbs and branches across the town of Bowdle due to the ice and wind.

Ice Storm in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 12:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

National Weather Service personnel measured 0.25 inch radial ice accumulation.

Ice Storm in FAULK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

A street light collapsed due to the combination of strong winds and the weight of ice.

Ice Storm in MCPHERSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 12:00:00 to 27-DEC-23 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: NWS Employee

A NWS Employed measured accumulation on a vehicle at 0.5 inches.

Ice Storm in CAMPBELL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 to 27-DEC-23 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

The COOP observer in Pollock reported 0.25 inches of ice accumulation.

Ice Storm in CODINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public report on social media, including photos, supported an estimated 0.25 inches of ice accumulation in the town of South Shore.

Ice Storm in WALWORTH, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 to 27-DEC-23 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A public post on social media supports 0.9 inches of radial ice, with photos of just under 2 inch thick ice accumulation on a tree branch.

Ice Storm in ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Public

The public reported an estimated 0.75 inches of flat ice, along with tree damage and falling branches.

Ice Storm in MARSHALL, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Utility Company

Public utilities workers posted photos on social media of an estimated 1.5 inches of ice accumulation on power lines in the Hillhead area. Damage to lines resulted in power outages in the area.

Ice Storm in CLARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

A resident northwest of Henry, SD reported at least 0.25 inches of flat ice accumulation along with multiple branches down.

Ice Storm in GRANT, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

The public reported 0.25 inches of ice 3 miles southwest  of Summit.

Ice Storm in HAMLIN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported 0.25 inches of flat ice accumulation with power outages.

Ice Storm in DAY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 25-DEC-23 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported 0.25 inches of ice accumulation in the town of Roslyn.

Ice Storm in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 26-DEC-23 07:30:00 to 27-DEC-23 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter located 1 mile south of McLaughlin reported an estimated 0.5 inches of ice accumulation.

Ice Storm in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 26-DEC-23 10:47:00 to 27-DEC-23 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A trained spotter reported 0.5 inches of ice accumulation due to freezing rain.