‘Historic’ Black Hills blizzard rages, 37 inches and counting, 68 mph winds
In the Black Hills of South Dakota, winter came on October 4th.
Heavy snow and blizzard conditions are raking the Black Hills in western South Dakota today. I-90 has been closed from the Wyoming state line into the Black Hills. The storm has already produced 37 inches of snowfall at Lead, and many totals may reach 3+ feet in the Black Hills. Here's a look at snowfall totals so far from the Rapid City NWS.
So far the heaviest snowfall report comes from Lead, where 37 inches has fallen, and it is still snowing.
Wind are gusting over 60 mph with the storm. The Rapid City NWS recorded a gust to 68 mph Friday afternoon in downtown Rapid City! That's a severe thunderstorm and blizzard all in one.
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The Rapid City NWS is calling this an 'historic' storm, with snowfall forecasts up to 3 feet in the Black Hills.
Bands of heavy snow continue to rake the Black Hills. Here's the Rapid City doppler shot Friday afternoon.
Sustained winds of 36 mph and gusts to 60 mph have downed trees under the stress of heavy wet snow. Near zero visibility has closed numerous roads.
This is an historic blizzard for Rapid City and the Black Hills region. Thankfully Minnesota is on the milder side of this potent storm.