National Weather Service Weather Forecast Office

Event Synopsis

A weak surface low pressure system tracking across the northern plains last night and early today (12/23) produced a widespread swath of mainly light snow over central and northern South Dakota and west-central Minnesota. 

Snowfall amounts varied from less than an inch over portions of central South Dakota, to around 4 inches over far northern and northeastern parts of the state (see image and tabular listing below).  Winds were generally light, so there was little in the way of blowing and drifting snow.

The area will see a break in the weather through Christmas Day, before yet another weather system brings the chance for more snow on Thursday night into Friday.  Looking on the bright side of things – just about everyone will “enjoy” a white Christmas this year.  Although many of us may be wishing for a January thaw early next year!      

LOCATION                SNOW FALL     TIME/DATE
                         (INCHES)   OF OBSERVATION    LAT    LON
MINNESOTA

...TRAVERSE COUNTY...
  BROWNS VALLEY            1.0 M   800 AM 12/23   45.59N  96.83W
  WHEATON                  1.9 M   700 AM 12/23   45.81N  96.50W

LOCATION                SNOW FALL     TIME/DATE
                         (INCHES)   OF OBSERVATION    LAT    LON
SOUTH DAKOTA

...BROWN COUNTY...
  8 NE COLUMBIA            2.0 M   800 AM 12/23   45.70N  98.19W
  3 ESE ABERDEEN           2.7 M   900 AM 12/23   45.45N  98.43W

...CLARK COUNTY...
  CLARK                    0.2 M   700 AM 12/23   44.88N  97.73W

...DEUEL COUNTY...
  CLEAR LAKE               1.0 M   800 AM 12/23   44.77N  96.68W

...EDMUNDS COUNTY...
  ROSCOE                   2.2 M   700 AM 12/23   45.45N  99.33W

...HAMLIN COUNTY...
  CASTLEWOOD               0.5 M   800 AM 12/23   44.72N  97.03W

...HUGHES COUNTY...
  PIERRE                   1.5 M   700 AM 12/23   44.37N 100.32W

...MARSHALL COUNTY...
  ROY LAKE STATE PARK      4.0 M   700 AM 12/23   45.71N  97.43W

...POTTER COUNTY...
  GETTYSBURG               2.3 M   800 AM 12/23   45.01N  99.95W

...ROBERTS COUNTY...
  4 NNE VICTOR             2.0 M   700 AM 12/23   45.92N  96.80W
  3 W SISSETON             2.9 M   700 AM 12/23   45.66N  97.11W

...SPINK COUNTY...
  DOLAND                   1.1 M   800 AM 12/23   44.89N  98.10W
  TURTON                   2.0 M   700 AM 12/23   45.05N  98.10W

...WALWORTH COUNTY...
  MOBRIDGE                 2.5 M   800 AM 12/23   45.54N 100.44W

Mike Fowle - Science and Operations Officer