Snow blankets southeast South Dakota
By The Associated Press | Posted: Saturday, March 19, 2005
Just days before the official start of spring, a winter storm moved into southeastern South Dakota Friday, dumping almost 1 foot of snow and prompting dozens of schools to start late or close.
The heaviest amounts fell in the Sioux Falls area, where 9 inches of snow had piled up by late morning. Forecasters said more inches could fall before the snow started to taper off late afternoon.
A winter storm warning remained in effect until 6 p.m. for Sioux Falls while a winter weather advisory was posted for much of the rest of the southeast.
Other late morning snowfall totals included 5 inches at Bonesteel, 3 inches at Wessington Springs and 2.5 inches at Huron.
Snow started falling early Thursday evening in Sioux Falls. By early morning, nearly 7 inches was on the ground.
"This is going to end up being the biggest snow storm of the season, so far," said Tim Masters of the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls.
As the snow continued coming down, the state Highway Patrol warned drivers to use caution.
Authorities said several cars and trucks slid into ditches along Interstate 90 in the Sioux Falls area. No injuries were reported.
The state Department of Transportation reported snow-covered and slippery roads across much of southeastern South Dakota early Friday afternoon. In some areas, drifting and blowing snow cut visibility to less than a half mile.
The last significant snow storm to hit Sioux Falls came early in the year when 8 inches fell on Jan. 4-5.
Total snowfall for the season in Sioux Falls stood at 18 inches before Friday's storm. The city gets about 40 inches of snow in an average season.
According to weather service records, the most snow the city has received in a season was 94.7 inches in 1968-69. The least snowiest winter was in 1986-1987 when just 8.1 inches fell.
The heaviest amounts fell in the Sioux Falls area, where 9 inches of snow had piled up by late morning. Forecasters said more inches could fall before the snow started to taper off late afternoon.
A winter storm warning remained in effect until 6 p.m. for Sioux Falls while a winter weather advisory was posted for much of the rest of the southeast.
Other late morning snowfall totals included 5 inches at Bonesteel, 3 inches at Wessington Springs and 2.5 inches at Huron.
Snow started falling early Thursday evening in Sioux Falls. By early morning, nearly 7 inches was on the ground.
"This is going to end up being the biggest snow storm of the season, so far," said Tim Masters of the National Weather Service office in Sioux Falls.
As the snow continued coming down, the state Highway Patrol warned drivers to use caution.
Authorities said several cars and trucks slid into ditches along Interstate 90 in the Sioux Falls area. No injuries were reported.
The state Department of Transportation reported snow-covered and slippery roads across much of southeastern South Dakota early Friday afternoon. In some areas, drifting and blowing snow cut visibility to less than a half mile.
The last significant snow storm to hit Sioux Falls came early in the year when 8 inches fell on Jan. 4-5.
Total snowfall for the season in Sioux Falls stood at 18 inches before Friday's storm. The city gets about 40 inches of snow in an average season.
According to weather service records, the most snow the city has received in a season was 94.7 inches in 1968-69. The least snowiest winter was in 1986-1987 when just 8.1 inches fell.
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