Winter Storm and Winter Weather in South Dakota, March 5 to 6, 2022

Name: Winter Storm and Winter Weather in South Dakota, March 5 to 6, 2022
Start: 2022-03-05T07:00
End: 2022-03-06T00:00
Location: South Dakota

March 5 to 6, 2022 · NWS FSD · 24 events in 24 counties and zones

S. trough, a strong area of low pressure developed and tracked northeast from Kansas to Iowa.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 24 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: 24

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 FSD wrote it up.

As a compact jet streak ejected out of a deep western U.S. trough, a strong area of low pressure developed and tracked northeast from Kansas to Iowa. Initial thermal profiles were warm enough to result in a brief period of light freezing rain before a transition to snow, but with generally light ice accumulations. A few rumbles of thunder in far southeast South Dakota were accompanied by small hail. A few hours of moderate to heavy snowfall occurred, especially areas west of the lower James River Valley which amassed the greatest snowfall totals around the area from 4 to 10 inches, with most other areas accumulating from 2 to 4 inches.

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 Sioux Falls, SD wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Mar 5, 5:50 AM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 5, 5:50 AM CST, 1 hour 10 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 5, 5:25 AM CST, 1 hour 35 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Sioux Falls SD
525 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

SDZ038-050-052-053-057>060-063>065-068-061200-
Beadle-Gregory-Jerauld-Sanborn-Brule-Aurora-Davison-Hanson-
Charles Mix-Douglas-Hutchinson-Bon Homme-
525 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for central South Dakota, east
central South Dakota, south central South Dakota and southeast
South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A strong weather system will bring a wintry mix today. Through early
afternoon, wintry mix may bring a glaze of ice. As colder air filters
in, wintry mix will transition to snow, with heavy snowfall possible
at times. By the time snowfall ends Saturday evening, expect two to
five inches of snow. Gusty northwest winds up to 45 mph will reduce
visibility due to areas of blowing and drifting snow tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Any reports of snowfall totals or ice accumulations would be
appreciated.

SDZ039-054-055-061200-
Kingsbury-Miner-Lake-
525 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for east central South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A strong weather system will bring a wintry mix today. Through mid
afternoon, wintry mix may bring a glaze of ice. As colder air
filters in, wintry mix will transition to snow with heavy snowfall
possible at times. By the time snowfall ends Saturday evening,
expect two to five inches of snow. Gusty northwest winds up to 45 mph
will reduce visibility due to areas of blowing and drifting snow
tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Any reports of snowfall totals or ice accumulations would be
appreciated.

MNZ071-072-080-097-SDZ040-056-061200-
Lincoln-Lyon-Murray-Pipestone-Brookings-Moody-
525 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for southwest Minnesota and east
central South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A strong weather system will bring freezing rain and a wintry mix
today. A prolonged period of freezing rain is likely to bring up to
a quarter inch of ice accumulation this afternoon. As colder air
filters in early this evening, wintry mix will transition to snow.
By the time snowfall ends late tonight, expect one to four inches of
snow. Gusty northwest winds up to 45 mph may cause reduced visibility
due blowing and drifting snow tonight.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Any reports of snowfall totals or ice accumulations would be
appreciated.

IAZ001-MNZ081-089-098-SDZ061-062-066-067-069-061200-
Lyon-Cottonwood-Nobles-Rock-McCook-Minnehaha-Turner-Lincoln-Yankton-
525 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, southwest
Minnesota and southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A strong weather system will bring showers and isolated thunderstorms.
As colder air filters in Saturday afternoon, rain will transition to
snow. A flash freeze may cause a light glaze of ice during this
transition. By the time snowfall ends tonight, expect up to one inch
of snow.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

No hazardous weather is expected at this time.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Any reports of snowfall totals would be appreciated.

IAZ002-003-012-013-020-MNZ090-NEZ013-014-SDZ070-071-061200-
Osceola-Dickinson-Sioux-O'Brien-Plymouth-Jackson-Dixon-Dakota-Clay-
Union-
525 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa, southwest
Minnesota, northeast Nebraska and southeast South Dakota.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A strong weather system will bring showers and thunderstorms to the
region through early evening. As colder air filters in behind the
system tonight, northwest winds will gust up to 45 mph. Some areas
may see a dusting of snow, likely less than a half inch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

A weak wave moving through Sunday night may bring up to a half inch
of snow.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Any reports of snowfall totals would be appreciated.

IAZ014-021-022-031-032-061200-
Clay-Cherokee-Buena Vista-Woodbury-Ida-
525 AM CST Sat Mar 5 2022

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for northwest Iowa and west
central Iowa.

.DAY ONE...Today and tonight.

A strong weather system will bring showers and thunderstorms through
early this evening. Severe weather is possible Saturday afternoon
with large hail and damaging wind gusts possible.

As colder air filters in behind the system tonight, northwest winds
will gust up to 45 mph. Some areas may see a dusting of snow, likely
less than a half inch.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday.

A weak wave moving through Sunday night may bring up to a half inch
of snow.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Any reports of severe weather hazards or snowfall totals would be
appreciated.

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

18 winter weather, 6 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Weather, Gregory

When: March 5, 7:00 AM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Gregory forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.192, -99.186 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 4.0 inches 4 miles south-southwest of Pickstown and at Bonesteel. A brief period of light freezing rain produced up to one-tenth of an inch of ice accumulation between 1600-1800CST. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph and produced considerable drifting snow during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Brule

When: March 5, 12:00 PM CST to 9:30 PM CST
Where: Brule forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 43.718, -99.081 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 2.0 inches 8 miles south-southwest of Chamberlain and 1.5 inches 2 miles south of Pukwana.

Winter Weather, Yankton

When: March 5, 1:00 PM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Yankton forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.009, -97.395 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 2.0 inches at Yankton, and was preceded by a brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon that resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation.

Winter Weather, Clay

When: March 5, 1:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Clay forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.915, -96.976 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

While snowfall totaled just 0.8 inches 6 miles southeast of Centerville and 0.6 inches at Vermillion, a brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation.

Winter Weather, Union

When: March 5, 1:00 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Union forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 42.833, -96.656 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

While snowfall totaled just 0.4 inches 6 miles north-northeast of Elk Point, a brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation.

Winter Weather, Lake

When: March 5, 1:30 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Lake forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.022, -97.129 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 2.9 inches at Madison. A brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Northwest winds gusted to 35 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as around one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Lincoln

When: March 5, 1:30 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Lincoln forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.279, -96.722 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 1.6 inches on the south side of Sioux Falls, but only 0.2 inches at Canton. A brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation, and an isolated thunderstorm resulted in brief small hail and sleet. Northwest winds gusted to 35 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility less than one mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Aurora

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Aurora forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 43.718, -98.561 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 5.0 inches 4 miles southwest of Stickney. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph resulting in visibility briefly as low as one mile during the early evening of March 5.

Winter Storm, Charles Mix

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Charles Mix forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 43.208, -98.588 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 10.0 inches 2 miles north of Lake Andes and 7.5 inches at Wagner. A brief period of light freezing rain produced less than one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Northwest wind gusts reached 30 to 40 mph and created a period of visibility around one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Storm, Douglas

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 43.387, -98.366 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 6.0 inches 10 miles west of Dimock. A brief period of light freezing rain produced less than one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Northwest wind gusts reached 30 to 40 mph and created a period of visibility around one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Bon Homme

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Bon Homme forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 42.988, -97.885 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 2.6 inches at Tyndall. A brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Moody

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Moody forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.022, -96.671 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 3.9 inches at Flandreau and 3.0 inches 11 miles north of Colman. A brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Northwest winds gusted to 35 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as around one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Storm, McCook

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: McCook forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.674, -97.368 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 6.8 inches at Montrose and 5.0 inches at Bridgewater. Northwest wind gusts reached 30 to 40 mph and created a period of visibility around one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5. A brief period of light freezing rain during the afternoon resulted in up to an eighth of an inch ice accumulation.

Winter Weather, Minnehaha

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Minnehaha forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.674, -96.791 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 5.0 inches at Colton, 3.2 inches near Renner and 3.0 inches 6 miles south of Hartford. A brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation, and an isolated thunderstorm resulted in brief small hail and sleet. Northwest winds gusted to 35 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility less than one mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Turner

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 10:00 PM CST
Where: Turner forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 43.311, -97.149 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 3.6 inches at Marion and 2.6 inches at Hurley. A brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Northwest winds gusted to 35 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility less than one mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Storm, Hutchinson

When: March 5, 2:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Hutchinson forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 43.335, -97.754 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 6.0 inches 1 mile north of Dimock, 4.0 inches at Menno and 3.5 inches 11 miles south of Emery. A brief period of light freezing rain in the afternoon resulted in up to one-tenth of an inch ice accumulation. Northwest winds gusted to 35 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Miner

When: March 5, 3:00 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Miner forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.022, -97.610 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 4.5 inches at Howard and 4.0 inches 5 miles west of Howard. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Storm, Davison

When: March 5, 3:00 PM CST to March 6, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Davison forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 43.675, -98.146 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 6.4 inches at Mitchell. Northwest wind gusts reached 30 to 40 mph and created a period of visibility around one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Storm, Hanson

When: March 5, 3:00 PM CST to March 6, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Hanson forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 43.675, -97.787 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 7.5 inches at Fulton and 4.0 inches at Alexandria. Northwest winds gusted to 35 to 40 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as one-half mile during the late afternoon and evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Sanborn

When: March 5, 4:00 PM CST to March 6, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Sanborn forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.023, -98.091 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches 4 miles north-northeast of Forestburg and 2.5 inches at Woonsocket. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph resulting in visibility briefly as low as one mile during the evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Kingsbury

When: March 5, 4:30 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Kingsbury forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.370, -97.491 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches 9 miles south-southwest of Arlington and 2.0 inches at De Smet. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 35 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as one mile during the evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Jerauld

When: March 5, 4:30 PM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Jerauld forecast zone
Reported by: COOP Observer
Coordinates: 44.066, -98.630 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 4.0 inches at Wessington Springs. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph resulting in visibility briefly as low as one mile during the evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Brookings

When: March 5, 4:30 PM CST to 10:30 PM CST
Where: Brookings forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.370, -96.790 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches 5 miles west and 4 miles northeast of Bruce and 2.0 inches at White and 2 miles south-southeast of Astoria. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 35 mph and resulted in visibility briefly as low as one-quarter to one-half mile during the evening of March 5.

Winter Weather, Beadle

When: March 5, 5:00 PM CST to March 6, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Beadle forecast zone
Reported by: Official NWS Observations
Coordinates: 44.415, -98.278 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Snowfall totaled 4.0 inches 2 miles southeast of Wessington and 3.0 inches at Huron. Northwest winds gusted to 30 to 40 mph resulting in visibility briefly as low as one-half mile during the evening of March 5.

What these are

Winter Weather: Snow, sleet or freezing rain below warning levels that still caused disruption, damage or casualties.
Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in South Dakota in 2022 Every state in 2022 This day in weather history Warnings in South Dakota, March 2022

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 2026-10-01. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1015966, 1015962, 1015981, 1016010, 1016011, 1015971, 1015976, 1015963, 1015967, 1015968, 1015970, 1015972, 1015973, 1015974, 1015975, 1015980, 1015960, 1015964, 1015979, 1015959, 1015570, 1015572, 1015961, 1015566.