Thought this was interesting, especially so early in the season. The snow came down so hard and so fast they needed to pull out a snowcat to rescue people.
http://www.argusleader.com/article/20081106/UPDATES/81106023/1052/OPINION01
Blizzard whips West River
A blizzard thrashing West River will bring high winds and snow to eastern South Dakota, but the Sioux Falls area may see only 1-3 inches of snow from now through 6 p.m. Friday, according to projections from the National Weather Service.
During the same time period, the Chamberlain area could see 4-6 inches of snow, according to forecasts. Pierre is expected to see 6-10 inches.
West River, a full-scale blizzard was underway early this afternoon.
A snowcat was being used to rescue motorists stranded on Interstate 90 through South Dakota, said Capt. Kevin Karley of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. I-90 was closed from Murdo, S.D., to the Wyoming state line, he said.
“So far, we’ve been able to get to the people who are stranded,” he said late Thursday morning. “We’re slowly working to get those people to safety.”
Karley didn’t know the exact number of motorists rescued, but said it was in the dozens. “We’ve got zero sight distance,” Karley said. “When we’re out on the highway, we can’t see.”
It is the winds whipping the snow around that are creating whiteout conditions, and will turn travel treacherous in eastern South Dakota overnight as the storm pushes eastward, says Philip Schumacher, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls. The city was expecting far less snow than areas to the west, around one to three inches, Schumacher said. “For Sioux Falls, we’re expecting precipitation to change over to snow after the evening rush hour,” he said.
Blizzard whips West River
A blizzard thrashing West River will bring high winds and snow to eastern South Dakota, but the Sioux Falls area may see only 1-3 inches of snow from now through 6 p.m. Friday, according to projections from the National Weather Service.
During the same time period, the Chamberlain area could see 4-6 inches of snow, according to forecasts. Pierre is expected to see 6-10 inches.
West River, a full-scale blizzard was underway early this afternoon.
A snowcat was being used to rescue motorists stranded on Interstate 90 through South Dakota, said Capt. Kevin Karley of the South Dakota Highway Patrol. I-90 was closed from Murdo, S.D., to the Wyoming state line, he said.
“So far, we’ve been able to get to the people who are stranded,” he said late Thursday morning. “We’re slowly working to get those people to safety.”
Karley didn’t know the exact number of motorists rescued, but said it was in the dozens. “We’ve got zero sight distance,” Karley said. “When we’re out on the highway, we can’t see.”
It is the winds whipping the snow around that are creating whiteout conditions, and will turn travel treacherous in eastern South Dakota overnight as the storm pushes eastward, says Philip Schumacher, a meteorologist at the National Weather Service in Sioux Falls. The city was expecting far less snow than areas to the west, around one to three inches, Schumacher said. “For Sioux Falls, we’re expecting precipitation to change over to snow after the evening rush hour,” he said.
I have no idea what kind the SD Hwypatrol uses, so was hoping they mentioned or pictured it.