Storm Summary Number 01 for Northern High Plains to Upper Midwest
Blizzard
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
1000 AM CDT Tue Apr 04 2023

...Heavy snow continues, with blizzard conditions to begin across
portions of the Northern High Plains today...

Blizzard Warnings are in effect for portions of southern and
eastern Wyoming, northwestern Nebraska, the Dakotas, and western
Minnesota.

Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for portions of southeastern
Wyoming, western South Dakota, and northern Minnesota.

Winter Weather Advisories are in effect for portions of northern
Nebraska, southeastern South Dakota, western/central Minnesota,
and portions of the Upper Midwest.

Ice Storm Warnings are in effect for portions of northern
Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

For a detailed graphical depiction of the latest watches, warnings
and advisories, please see www.weather.gov

At 900 AM CDT...A strong surface-based low pressure system was
analyzed just lee of the Rocky Mountains in central Colorado, with
a minimum pressure of 985 mb (29.09 in Hg). A strong
stationary/warm front extended east of the low into the lower
Midwest, while a cold front extended south-southwestward into New
Mexico. A stark contrast of temperatures was observed, with
temperatures north of the stationary boundary across the Central
Plains ranging from the upper 40s to the teens from south to
north, with temperatures south of the boundary generally in the
70s and 80s. NWS Radar and surface observations show a large
region of moderate to heavy snow falling in a band stretching from
southwestern South Dakota into portions of central Minnesota, with
maximum sustained winds of 10-20 kts.

...Selected preliminary Storm Total Snowfall in inches from 700 AM
CDT Mon Apr 03 through 900 AM CDT Tue Apr 04...

...SOUTH DAKOTA...
HOT SPRINGS                          24.0                    
CUSTER 5 ENE                         21.5                    
FOLSOM 7 WSW                         15.0                    
HERMOSA 6 W                          14.2                    
HISEGA 3 NE                          13.0                    
EDGEMONT                             11.0                    
DWTN RAPID CITY 3 S                   9.5                    

...WYOMING...
MANVILLE                             20.0                    
DOUGLAS                              17.0                    
WHEATLAND                            12.0                    
LARAMIE 22 NE                         8.5                    


The low pressure system will maintain its intensity as it begins
propagating toward the east-northeast into the Central High Plains
today. Precipitation is expected to intensify and increase in
coverage this morning as southerly flow aloft brings in air with
high moisture content over the region. Snowfall will be rapidly
accumulating, with rates of up to 2"/hr possible over some areas
of the Dakotas and northwestern Minnesota. Additionally, a
tightening pressure gradient will result in increasing winds
across the Northern High Plains, which may create blizzard
conditions across much of the region. 12-18" (locally 2+ feet) of
snowfall is expected across a wide region encompassing most of the
Dakotas and portions of northwestern Minnesota. A gradual warming
trend across the entire region will result in some changeover of
precipitation from snow to freezing rain/sleet to rain, especially
in eastern South Dakota, north-central Minnesota, and the
Upper-Midwest. Significant icing is possible in a region
stretching from southeastern South Dakota into portions of the
Upper-Midwest, with highest probabilities of 0.1"+ of ice over
northern Wisconsin and Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The storm will
track toward the northeast and pass through the Upper Midwest
before entering Canada on Thursday afternoon. While the storm
system is centered over central-southern Canada, there is
increasing confidence of significant freezing rain impacts from
this system spreading into portions of New England, especially in
New Hampshire and Maine on Wednesday night into Thursday. Travel
conditions during the event will be treacherous, given the high
winds, heavy snow, and potential for significant icing. High winds
following the event will still create dangerous travel conditions
due to significant blowing snow, which can create create very low
visibility almost instantaneously.

The next Storm Summary will be issued by the Weather Prediction
Center at 1000 PM CDT. Please refer to your local National Weather
Service office for additional information on this event.

Genz