Friday,  March 22, 2013 • Vol. 14--No. 246 • 9 of 35 •  Other Editions

Today in Weather History

1966: The blizzard began on the 22nd in the west moving southeastward into Nebraska and then moving northeastward across the southeastern part of South Dakota. Winds up to 50 mph caused blowing snow which reduced visibility to near zero. Seven to 8 inches of snow fell on the plains of South Dakota with up to 2 feet in the Black Hills. Traffic was paralyzed due to snow-blocked roads. Schools and many businesses were closed. One death was attributed to the storm to exposure and exhaustion. One death in Sioux Falls was indirectly caused by a heart attack.

1987: Snowmelt and rainfall caused some rivers and small streams to rise to very high levels in central South Dakota. Lowland flooding around the basins occurred, submerging some small roads and streets. In addition, high water levels and ice damaged some railroad bridges between Wakpala and Mahto in Corson County.

2009: A stretch of warmer weather occurred from March 14th to 17th, which resulted in high temperatures in the 40s and low 50s. The snow depth in Fargo on the 14th was 15 inches with a melted water equivalent of 3.10 inches. By the 17th, the snow depth in Fargo had dropped to 6 inches. This was followed by a couple of cooler days, which temporarily slowed down any additional snowmelt. A second period of warmer weather began on March 20th and continued through the 24th. During this period of time, high temperatures again climbed into the 40s and low 50s. Most of the remaining snow in Fargo melted during this stretch of warm weather, with the Fargo snow depth falling from 2 inches to 0. Conditions were about the same in Grand Forks, with the snow depth falling to 0 by the 24th. These two warm ups resulted in a quick response in river levels, especially across the southern Red River Valley and west central Minnesota. The Red River also showed a response, especially in the southern Red River Valley. With all the runoff moving into the river systems, water covered many roads and resulted in numerous road closures. The water covered entire sections of land as well and threatened many homes. A winter storm event on March 24th and 25th brought more snow to the region, along with a turn to colder temperatures. This resulted in a first crest for many rivers in the southern Red River Valley and west central Minnesota. However, river levels at most points along the Red River continued to stay high. Another winter storm event hit much of the area March 30th to 31st, dropping up to 2 feet of snow in the southern Red River Valley. There was a lot of moisture in this new snow, with snow to liquid ratios of less than 10 to 1. This set the stage for continued flooding into the months of April and early May. The North Dakota Governor issued a statewide disaster declaration on March 13 in anticipation of spring flooding. Most counties in eastern North Dakota later received a Presidential Disaster Declaration.

1992: USAir Flight 405 was scheduled to depart from LaGuardia Airport in New York City for Cleveland, OH. Due to a delay at the gate, during a storm in which four inches of snow fell, a large amount of ice collected on the wings and airframe. The aircraft crashed during takeoff into Flushing Bay. 27 of the 51 people on board were killed.

1999: Tropical Cyclone Vance came ashore in Australia bringing much destruction as a category 5. Water and power supplies throughout Gascoyne and Goldfields were disrupted and many homesteads sustained wind or flooding damage. The main rail and road links to the eastern states were cut. The storm surge was greater than 15 ft, and as much as 12" of rain fell.

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