Blizzard in South Dakota, January 14 to 15, 2021

Name: Blizzard in South Dakota, January 14 to 15, 2021
Start: 2021-01-14T16:00
End: 2021-01-15T12:00
Location: South Dakota

January 14 to 15, 2021 · NWS ABR · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 8

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS ABR wrote it up.

A strong area of Canadian low pressure dropped into the Northern Plains from late Wednesday, January 13th into Friday, January 15th 2021. Snowfall of a trace to four inches combined with high wind gusts of 50 to 65 mph to produce blizzard conditions during the afternoon of the 14th through the morning of the 15th. Initially, a band of rain moved across the region Wednesday night creating some slick roads as colder air moved in. Many schools were closed or had delayed starts Thursday and Friday. Due to the slick roads and low visibility, several vehicles ended up in the ditch with I-29 closed from 10pm Thursday into Friday morning from the North Dakota/South Dakota border to Iowa.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Aberdeen, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 14, 3:49 PM CST, 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 14, 3:49 PM CST, 11 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
349 PM CST Thu Jan 14 2021

.SHORT TERM...(This Evening through Friday Night)
Issued at 349 PM CST Thu Jan 14 2021

Finally starting to see some higher radar returns into our eastern
cwa late this afternoon along with obs and webcams showing some
snowfall. Expect this snow to continue to wraparound the large upper
level low pressure area into Friday. Models and bufkit soundings
were showing qpf/snowfall into Friday into our eastern cwa with the
highest amounts in the Sisseton Hills. Total snowfall amounts have
come down a little for this storm. At this time, with the very
strong northwest winds along with this falling and accumulating
snow, will hold on to the blizzard warning in the east through
Friday afternoon. With the tight surface pressure gradient, caa, and
good momentum transfer of 40 to 50 knots or higher winds, high winds
will remain across the cwa into Friday. The soundings show the mixed
layer cu clouds will also remain across the cwa into Friday with the
snow ending in the east. The mixed layer clouds will decrease Friday
night with more mid and high level clouds spreading in from the
northwest. The winds will also fall off quickly Friday night as the
surface pressure gradient relaxes.

.LONG TERM...(Saturday through Thursday)
Issued at 349 PM CST Thu Jan 14 2021

Models are in decent agreement in bringing a clipper system
southeast across the Dakotas on Monday. POPs are still in the chance
category, but if model consistency holds, we may need to increase
POPs in a day or two. Not much else of real significant showing up
in the extended period.

As for temperatures, mainly 20s and 30s for highs throughout the
time period. Still no signs of any major arctic air intrusions in
the immediate future.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 18Z TAFS through 18Z Friday Afternoon)
Issued at 1159 AM CST Thu Jan 14 2021

Terminals KABR,KATY,KPIR,KMBG

High winds from 30 to 40 knots with gusts over 55 knots at times
will remain through the taf period at all airports. Otherwise,
expect IFR/MVFR vsbys in snow and blowing snow to settle in at ATY
and remain into Friday morning. ABR may also have a period of snow.
Otherwise, expect VFR ceilings at ABR, PIR, and MBG to become
low VFR/MVFR through the afternoon and night.

&&

.ABR WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
SD...High Wind Warning until noon CST /11 AM MST/ Friday for
     SDZ003>006-009-010-015>018-033>037-045-048-051.

     Blizzard Warning until 6 PM CST Friday for SDZ007-008-011-
     019>023.

     Red Flag Warning until 5 PM CST /4 PM MST/ this afternoon for
     SDZ003-015-033-045-048.

MN...Blizzard Warning until 6 PM CST Friday for MNZ039-046.

&&

SHORT TERM...Mohr
LONG TERM...TMT
AVIATION...Mohr

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 14, 2:49 PM CST, 1 hour 11 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Aberdeen SD
249 PM CST Thu Jan 14 2021

MNZ039-046-SDZ007-008-011-019>023-151015-
Traverse-Big Stone-Marshall-Roberts-Day-Clark-Codington-Grant-Hamlin-
Deuel-
249 PM CST Thu Jan 14 2021

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for west central Minnesota and
northeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Snowfall along with winds gusting to over 50 mph are expected to
bring blizzard conditions into tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Blizzard conditions are expected for Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be requested. Weather spotters are encouraged
to submit reports to the National Weather Service in Aberdeen. The
public can submit reports on our web page, Facebook page, or our
Twitter feed.

SDZ003>006-009-010-015>018-033>037-045-048-051-151015-
Corson-Campbell-McPherson-Brown-Walworth-Edmunds-Dewey-Potter-Faulk-
Spink-Stanley-Sully-Hughes-Hyde-Hand-Jones-Lyman-Buffalo-
249 PM CST Thu Jan 14 2021 /149 PM MST Thu Jan 14 2021/

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central South Dakota, north
central South Dakota and northeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...This afternoon and tonight.

Red flag conditions are expected into the late afternoon west of the
river. Otherwise, high winds with gusts over 60 mph are expected
through tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Friday through Wednesday.

Winds will slowly diminish through Friday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotter activation may be requested. Weather spotters are encouraged
to submit reports to the National Weather Service in Aberdeen. The
public can submit reports on our web page, Facebook page, or our
Twitter feed.

Mohr

In the hours before

Local storm report, Jan 14, 11:43 AM CST, 4 hours 17 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
1143 AM CST THU JAN 14 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0941 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 E DANFORTH            44.24N 98.77W
01/14/2021  M58 MPH          HAND               SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION RHUS2 DANFORTH 5 E.

&&

TMT

Local storm report, Jan 14, 11:45 AM CST, 4 hours 15 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
1145 AM CST THU JAN 14 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1139 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WNW SUMMIT            45.31N 97.05W
01/14/2021  M58 MPH          ROBERTS            SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 55 SUMMIT (SDDOT).

&&

TMT

Local storm report, Jan 14, 12:58 PM CST, 3 hours 2 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
1258 PM CST THU JAN 14 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1244 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 10 SW LONG LAKE         45.77N 99.36W
01/14/2021  M70 MPH          MCPHERSON          SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 184 EUREKA (SDDOT).

&&

TMT

Local storm report, Jan 14, 12:59 PM CST, 3 hours 1 minute before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
1259 PM CST THU JAN 14 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 W ROSCOE              45.45N 99.35W
01/14/2021  M58 MPH          EDMUNDS            SD   CO-OP OBSERVER

            CO-OP OBSERVER STATION ROSS2 ROSCOE.

&&

TMT

Local storm report, Jan 14, 1:00 PM CST, 3 hours before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
100 PM CST THU JAN 14 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

1148 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 ESE ABERDEEN          45.45N 98.42W
01/14/2021  M58 MPH          BROWN              SD   ASOS

            ASOS STATION KABR ABERDEEN RGNL AP.

&&

TMT

Local storm report, Jan 14, 3:03 PM CST, 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE ABERDEEN SD
303 PM CST THU JAN 14 2021

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0120 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 2 S GORMAN              44.90N 100.08W
01/14/2021  M70 MPH          POTTER             SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 212 AGAR (SDDOT).

0115 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 WNW MCLAUGHLIN        45.85N 100.91W
01/14/2021  M70 MPH          CORSON             SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 205 MCLAUGHLIN (SDDOT).

0135 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 5 E ORIENT              44.90N 98.98W
01/14/2021  M68 MPH          HAND               SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 158 MIRANDA (SDDOT).

0134 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 ENE HARROLD           44.53N 99.72W
01/14/2021  M64 MPH          HUGHES             SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 19 HARROLD (SDDOT).

0141 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 E DANFORTH            44.24N 98.77W
01/14/2021  M64 MPH          HAND               SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION RHUS2 DANFORTH 5 E.

0149 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST CRAVENS CORNER          45.45N 98.93W
01/14/2021  M63 MPH          EDMUNDS            SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 173 CRAVEN (SDDOT).

0155 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WNW MELLETTE          45.16N 98.51W
01/14/2021  M62 MPH          SPINK              SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 175 MELLETTE (SDDOT).

0200 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 WNW SUMMIT            45.31N 97.05W
01/14/2021  M62 MPH          ROBERTS            SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 55 SUMMIT (SDDOT).

0125 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 6 W HENRY               44.88N 97.58W
01/14/2021  M62 MPH          CLARK              SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 174 CLARK (SDDOT).

0206 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 4 WSW BLUNT             44.50N 100.07W
01/14/2021  M60 MPH          HUGHES             SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 185 BLUNT (SDDOT).

0700 AM     NON-TSTM WND GST 1 W ROSCOE              45.45N 99.35W
01/14/2021  M58 MPH          EDMUNDS            SD   CO-OP OBSERVER

            CO-OP OBSERVER STATION ROSS2 ROSCOE.

1259 PM     NON-TSTM WND GST 3 WNW WALLACE           45.09N 97.53W
01/14/2021  M58 MPH          CLARK              SD   MESONET

            MESONET STATION 200 WALLACE (SDDOT).

&&

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Marshall

When: January 14, 4:00 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Marshall forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.759, -97.598 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Day

When: January 14, 4:00 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Day forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.367, -97.607 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Grant

When: January 14, 4:00 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Grant forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.172, -96.768 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Deuel

When: January 14, 4:00 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Deuel forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.760, -96.668 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Clark

When: January 14, 4:30 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Clark forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.858, -97.729 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Roberts

When: January 14, 6:00 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Roberts forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.630, -96.946 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Codington

When: January 14, 7:00 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Codington forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.978, -97.189 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Blizzard, Hamlin

When: January 14, 7:00 PM CST to January 15, 12:00 PM CST
Where: Hamlin forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.674, -97.188 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in South Dakota in 2021 Every state in 2021 This day in weather history Warnings in South Dakota, January 2021

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 939645, 939649, 939660, 939661, 939651, 939659, 939656, 939658.