A major spring storm is bringing heavy snowfall, high winds and white-out conditions across a large swath of the central United States, and impacts are expected to last through Thursday.
The powerful storm hit South Dakota the hardest on Wednesday as snowfall quickly piled up following an early-morning occurrence of thundersnow. By mid-morning on Wednesday, Mud Butte, South Dakota, had reported 18 inches of snow. In nearby Red Elm, 15 inches of snowfall had been reported, but high winds there were reportedly causing snow drifts of four to five feet. AccuWeather forecasters said up to 30 inches of snow could fall in some areas by the time the storm pulls out.
Amid the white-out conditions, South Dakota officials closed Interstate 29 from Brookings all the way to the North Dakota border for a time on Wednesday and urged residents to stay home. Hazardous road conditions were reported across the state, and several motorists were stranded on highways earlier Wednesday, and photos of jack-knifed tractor-trailers and cars that skidded off the road were posted by local officials on Twitter.
A portion of I-90 in South Dakota was shut down on Wednesday night due to the poor conditions.
Thousands of fliers were left stranded when airlines delayed and canceled flights across the affected areas, such as Denver, Colorado and Minneapolis, Minnesota.
In Denver, where temperatures soared to 78 degrees Fahrenheit on Tuesday, snow moved in and forced the postponement of a Major League Baseball game between the Colorado Rockies and Atlanta Braves that was scheduled for Wednesday afternoon.
Colorado Governor Jarid Polis activated the state National Guard to help with blizzard rescues and stranded motorists. Colorado is one of six states where officials declared blizzard warnings — in addition to Wyoming, Nebraska, Kansas, South Dakota, and Minnesota.
An astonishing 107-mph wind gust was recorded in Pueblo West, Colorado. AccuWeather meteorologists warned ahead of this storm that strong and locally damaging winds would develop as the storm system intensified.
Before wreaking havoc across the Rockies, Central Plains and Midwest, the storm blasted parts of the West with torrential rain, heavy mountain snow, power-cutting winds, and blowing dust on Tuesday. The early stages of the storm knocked out power to 50,000 in the Los Angeles area and kicked up dramatic dust storms in Nevada.
The same storm is also bringing a risk of severe weather to the heartland, including areas hit hard by flooding in recent weeks and other areas that are currently experiencing flooding from the Mississippi River.
A CSP vehicle with a trooper inside was hit during the storm on Highway 160, mile marker 61. Both trooper and the other driver were transported to Mercy Hospital in Colorado with non-life threatening injuries. An investigation is underway.
(Twitter/CSP_News)
A CSP vehicle with a trooper inside was hit during the storm on Highway 160, mile marker 61. Both trooper and the other driver were transported to Mercy Hospital in Colorado with non-life threatening injuries. An investigation is underway.
(Twitter/PennCoSheriff)
Whiteout conditions from Pactola, South Dakota, on Highway 385 and Catron Blvd.
(Twtiter/PennCoSheriff)
A flipped vehicle in Pennington County, South Dakota.
(Twtiter/PennCoSheriff)
A flipped vehicle in Pennington County, South Dakota.
(Twtiter/PennCoSheriff)
Hazardous road conditions in Pennington County, South Dakota.
(Twitter/ruralroots)
A picture from north central South Dakota, where there is a foot or more of fresh snow.
(Twitter/PennCoSheriff)
Whiteout conditions from Pactola, South Dakota, on Highway 385 and Catron Blvd.
(Twitter/PennCoSheriff)
Whiteout conditions from Pactola, South Dakota, on Highway 385 and Catron Blvd.
(Twitter/PennCoSheriff)
Photos from Deputies of the conditions in various parts of Pennington County, South Dakota.
(Twitter/PennCoSheriff)
Photos from Deputies of the conditions in various parts of Pennington County, South Dakota.
(Twitter/ South Dakota Highway Patrol)
Hazardous conditions reported in the Rapid City area, South Dakota, on Wednesday.
(Twitter/ South Dakota Highway Patrol)
“Please do not travel unless it is an emergency! Cars that slide off the road may not be removed until conditions improve,” South Dakota Highway Patrol said on Twitter.
(Twitter/ Ryan Sheldon)
Accident reported in South Dakota by mile marker 221 near the rest area on I-90.
(Twitter/ Perkins County Sheriff’s Office)
Snow covers the roads in Perkins County, South Dakota, on Wednesday morning.
(Twitter/ Perkins County Sheriff’s Office)
The South Dakota DOT helped Perkins County officials get to stranded motorists on Wednesday morning.
(Twitter/ Perkins County Sheriff’s Office)
More snow is expected to fall in Perkins County, South Dakota, on Wednesday.
(Twitter/ South Dakota Department of Public Safety)
Many roads in South Dakota are covered with snow on Wednesday morning.
(Twitter/ Brad Letcher with South Dakota DOT)
Officials report that roads in the Huron Area, South Dakota, are slushy and slippery on Wednesday morning.
(Twitter/ Minnesota Department of Transportation, District 7)
Snow causes travel disruptions and delays in southwestern Minnesota on Wednesday morning.
(Twitter/ Minnesota Department of Transportation, District 8)
Snow covers the roads in southwestern Minnesota on Wednesday morning.
(Twitter/ Minnesota Department of Transportation, District 6)
Snow falls in southwestern Minnesota on Wednesday, April 10. Officials warn motorists to take the proper safety precautions.
(Twitter/ South Dakota Highway Patrol)
Road conditions are deteriorating on Interstate 29 south of Watertown, South Dakota. Officials warn motorists to stay home.
(Twitter/ Mark Peterson with South Dakota DOT)
South Dakota Department of Transportation maintenance forces are out as conditions continue to deteriorate.
(Twitter/ Minnesota Department of Transportation, District 8)
Snow is piling up in southwestern Minnesota, especially between Highway 19 and Highway 30. The Marshall area has accumulated about 5 inches of snow on the ground, as of Wednesday morning.
The Colorado State Patrol announced additional road closures “due to visibility issues and extremely icy conditions.” The closures include portions of I-70.
Several roads are closed or being closed due to visibility issues and extremely icy conditions. DO NOT ATTEMPT to drive past the closures PLEASE.
I-70 Eastbound is closing at Airpark. I-70 Westbound is closed at Limon CO 86 closed from Elizabeth to I-70
Thunderstorms, ice and snow are all occurring within a span of 40 miles in south-central Nebraska.
There is a report of 4 inches of hail accumulation on I-80 between Gibbon and Kearney.
Just received a report of 4″ of accumulated hail on I-80 between Gibbon and Kearney resulting in very slick/poor driving conditions with multiple slideoffs of cars & semis #NEroads
The National Weather Service Storm Prediction Center warned that heavy snowfall rates of up to 1-inch per hour are possible across portions of northwest Kansas into central Nebraska over the next several hours.
As facilities fill up tonight, it would not be unexpected for closures on I-80 to move east. If you were planning on traveling west, now is the time to find someplace to stay. Watch for info on overhead boards and check https://t.co/KD6t82hKgL for updates on closures. #neroadspic.twitter.com/AYVD4oxQcC
In southeast Wyoming around Cheyenne, visibility has been reduced to one-quarter of a mile for nearly 11 hours due to heavy snow and gusty winds.
8:45 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
There are numerous vehicles stuck on I-70 westbound at Georgetown Hill (mm 227) in Colorado. Emergency officials are having a difficult time getting to the scene.
I-70 is plugged up westbound at Georgetown Hill (mp 227) due to numerous stuck vehicles, passenger and commercial. @ColoradoDOT is unable to get through.
If Your Tires Are Not Made For Snow / Ice, please stay off the highways.
Denver, Colorado is on a city-wide Accident Alert as well as Aurora, Colorado. Officials urge motorists to have extra stopping distance and remember to turn on car lights, if you must travel.
An Accident Alert is when weather conditions are so severe that State Troopers and Police Officers are unable to respond to the large volume of motor vehicle crashes.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem closed state government offices in 52 counties. Numerous schools around the state have closed Wednesday into Thursday as well.
6:30 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
A no travel advisory is in effect for Pennington County, South Dakota roads due to hazardous road conditions.
Officials report that all county plows are in for the night.
No travel advised in Pennington County! Take a look at road conditions and hear message from Jay Evenson patrolling Interstate 90, now closed east-bound from Exit 67 Rapid City to Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/UPzRGWVlW5
Travel conditions continue to deteriorate for fliers and drivers across the central and western U.S.
According to Flight Aware, nearly 700 flights have already been canceled in or out of Denver International Airport because of the storm.
At Minneapolis−Saint Paul International Airport, 320 flights were delayed and 49 were canceled as a result of the storm.
As snow starts to fall, DEN crews are mobilizing to stay ahead of the storm! Many flights have been cancelled. Check your flight status with your airline before heading to the airport. pic.twitter.com/wNWEPNg8cu
According to the Colorado Department of Transportation officials, I-76 is closed both ways from Lochbuie, which is northeast of Denver, Colorado, to the Nebraska state line.
The Red Cross is opening warming shelters and evacuation centers across Colorado during the storm. The shelters will stay open as long as needed depending on the rapidly changing weather conditions.
3:30 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
Colorado Governor Jared Polis has activated the Colorado National Guard to help with blizzard rescues and stranded motorists. Roughly 50 Colorado Nation Guard soldiers are responding from multiple units.
The traction law is being enforced on I-70 in Colorado between Golden (mm 259) and Idaho Springs (mm 241). The traction law is also in effect between Silverthorne (mm 205) and Georgetown (mm 228).
The chain law is in effect on westbound I-70 from El Rancho (mm 250) to Idaho Springs (mm 241).
2:20 p.m. CDT Wednesday:
Blizzard warnings are in effect for northeastern Colorado, southeastern Wyoming, western and central Nebraska, northwestern Kansas, southwestern Minnesota and nearly all of South Dakota.
Officials with the South Dakota Departments of Transportation and Public Safety are closing I-29 from Brookings to the North Dakota border at 1 p.m. CST today (April 10) and I-29 from Sioux Falls to Brookings will likely be closed later this afternoon, depending how quickly weather and road conditions deteriorate.
Officials say drivers should also be aware that conditions on Interstate 90 are deteriorating rapidly as well.
Already I-29 is closed between Brookings, SD, and the North Dakota border. Stranded drivers gathering in hotel lobbies and gas station parking lots. Live coverage on @breakingweather@accuweather from Watertown, SD, begins at 4 EST. pic.twitter.com/aTjk6uiFxP
Officials in Minnesota are telling people to avoid I-35 from Medford to Faribault. Traffic is at a standstill as heavy snow has caused multiple crashes.
Rocky Mountain National Park officials announced that Moraine Park Campground will be closed after noon local time on Wednesday. The park is located in Estes Park, Colorado.
“It’s snowing hard in the park and temperatures are dropping, causing conditions to deteriorate quickly. Snow is now sticking to the pavement at HQ, where it’s 31º. Low clouds blocking all views,” the official twitter page of Rocky Mountain National Park said in a tweet.
On Wednesday morning, east side roads were covered with heavy snow. Park officials report poor visibility in numerous areas.
The winter driving conditions will continue worsen with this storm, park officials said Wednesday.
Visibility poor on the east side of #RMNP with low clouds. Snow expected mid-morning. Winter Driving Conditions so 4WD/AWD/good snowtires needed. Plan ahead! Current webcam photos https://t.co/0GTHFq46Ia ks pic.twitter.com/sO0fqDqrH7
A power outage was reported at 12:41 p.m. CST in northwestern Sioux Falls, South Dakota, affecting more than 800 customers Wednesday.
Xcel Energy customers near I-29 and Benson Road in northwestern Sioux Falls are affected.
“Rain and snow already starting across much of the Upper Midwest – worst of the storm still on its way. Our crews are ready to respond to any potential outages,” Xcel Energy said in a tweet on Wednesday morning.
Several crashes have shut down both directions of Interstate 70 in the mountains between Frisco and Copper Mountain in Colorado, local news station ABC7 Denver reports.
Numerous accidents have been reported in the area, as heavy snow is reducing visibility.
“Unless you are experiencing an emergency, please stay off the roads in Hamlin and Deuel County,” NWS Aberdeen said in a tweet.
11:51 a.m. CDT Wednesday:
Snow continues to pile up in southwestern Minnesota, especially between Highway 19 and Highway 30. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), District 8, reports that the Marshall area has accumulated about 5 inches of snow on the ground.
“Reports of vehicles sliding off the road means it’s time to slow down, stay back and pay attention to the road,” MnDOT, District 8, said in a tweet.
MnDOT released a press release on Wednesday that urges motorists to plan ahead for the pending snowstorm.
“Motorists traveling in Minnesota Wednesday afternoon through early Friday should prepare for a snowstorm that will result in hazardous road conditions,” the press release reads.
Officials urge motorists to either delay travel plans or, if they must drive, plan ahead and drive according to the road conditions.
11:38 a.m. CDT Wednesday:
Strong, locally damaging winds continue to develop as the storm system deepens. There is a high fire danger for portions of New Mexico and Texas.
Strong winds were reported in El Paso, Texas, on Wednesday morning, with wind at 57 mph of 8 a.m. EST Wednesday.
The National Weather Service (NWS) office in El Paso reported later on Wednesday that winds are picking up throughout the region, decreasing visibility.
Winds are really beginning to pick up across the area now. The brighter pink on this satellite image indicates plumes of dust heading into the #ElPaso metro area. Expected visibilities of less than 3 miles in next 30 minutes. pic.twitter.com/mq2B38GI3h
Bryce Canyon National Park, located in southwestern Utah, reports high winds sweeping through the plateau on Wednesday morning.
The park closed the southern scenic drive at Mile 3 due to tree fall hazards along the road. All Bryce Amphitheater views remain open.
High winds are sweeping the plateau today, with some snowfall and gusts as high as 46 mph possible into the evening. The southern scenic drive has been closed at Mile 3 due to tree fall hazards along the road. All Bryce Amphitheater views remain open. pic.twitter.com/vwVCMdO5YJ
The Atlanta Braves and the Colorado Rockies were scheduled to play at Coors Field in Denver, on Wednesday at 1:10 p.m. MDT. However, the game has been postponed due to the inclement weather.
The game will be played on Monday, Aug. 26 at 1:10 p.m. local time, the official twitter account for the Colorado Rockies said in a tweet.
Major League Soccer (MLS) announced that Wednesday night’s Colorado Rapids match at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, has been postponed due to inclement weather.
The match between the Colorado Rapids and Seattle Sounders will now be played on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 7 p.m. local time.
Denver hit 78 F on Tuesday, and the city will receive more than 6 inches of snow through Wednesday night. Highs on Wednesday in Denver are forecast to reach the 40s.
9:31 a.m. CDT Wednesday:
Snow is causing travel delays and disruptions in southwestern Minnesota.
“Expect slick, icy conditions in some areas of SE Minnesota as the snow falls,” Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT), District 6, said in a tweet on Wednesday morning.
A Minnesota Department of Transportation map shows travel disruptions in southwestern Minnesota. Screenshot taken on Wednesday at 9:35 a.m. CST.(Minnesota Department of Transportation)
9:25 a.m. CDT Wednesday:
Several airlines, including Delta and Southwest, have already issued travel waivers for travelers who need to rebook flights from April 10-12 in the Midwest and Intermountain West. For Southwest, these cities include, Milwaukee, Denver and Minneapolis. Delta’s full list can be viewed here.
9:20 a.m. CDT Wednesday:
Extreme fog is reported in the Colorado Foothills above Denver, Colorado, ahead of blizzard.
EXTREME FOG in the CO Foothills above Denver Co ahead of #blizzard. I am targeting the warm front by late afternoon through evening near KS/NE border for severe weather threat. Stay tuned to @accuweatherpic.twitter.com/eJB2jXgOb8
Snow is causing travel issues across South Dakota this morning. Noem ordered the closure of state government offices today in 52 South Dakota counties due to weather.
South Eagle Butte, South Dakota, has reported 10 inches of snow already.
There have already been reports of thunder and lighting along with snow in the state this morning. Several motorists have been stranded and need assistance from law enforcement.
South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem has closed state government offices in 52 counties. Numerous schools around the state have closed on Wednesday.
“People are being urged to stay home and not travel unless absolutely necessary,” South Dakota Department of Public Safety said in a tweet early Wednesday morning.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
Privacy & Cookies Policy
Privacy Overview
This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
