Friday,  Jan. 10, 2014 • Vol. 16--No. 178 • 10 of 35

Today in Weather History

1975: An intense area of low pressure moved from eastern Iowa through eastern Minnesota. The storm center set many low pressure records as it moved across eastern Minnesota. New snow of 3 to 6 inches across much of Minnesota began to blow and drift on the morning of the 10th and then developed into a full blown blizzard with heavy snowfall developing. The blizzard continued over all of the state through the 11th with winds of 30 to 50 mph with gusts of 60 to 80 mph. Drifts up to 20 foot high developed in west central Minnesota paralyzing activity. Snowfall amounts from 1 to 2 feet occurred. Numerous roads were closed due to drifting and low visibility. Numerous sustained power outages occurred, particularly in rural sections. Thousands of people were stranded with 168 people trapped in a train in Willmar. Wind chills ranged from 50 below to 80 below behind the storm. Extensive losses to life and property occurred. There were 35 deaths during the storm and many injuries. Tens of thousands of livestock and poultry losses also occurred with 140 farm buildings damaged or destroyed. Losses to livestock and property were over 20 million. It took 11 days to clear some areas. Shelter was provided for nearly 17,000 people.

In South Dakota, snow began to fall on the 10th in the afternoon and then the winds increased and reached blizzard conditions by evening. These severe blizzard conditions continued on through the 11th and through the morning of the 12th. Wind chills fell to 50 below to 70 below zero. Many cars stalled on roads due to poor visibility, icy roads, and blowing and drifting snow. Eight people lost their lives. Thousands of livestock and poultry were lost. During the blizzard, a 2000 foot radio and TV antenna just east of Sioux Falls, collapsed.

2000: High winds gusting to over 60 mph caused some spotty damage across central and north central South Dakota. Near Mobridge, the high winds blew a semi tractor-trailor off the road and tipped it over while it was heading westbound on Highway 12. The semi tractor-trailer sustained quite a bit of damage as a result. The high winds also damaged the windmill at the museum in Mobridge breaking off the tail and bending several of the blades. Some high wind reports included, 56 mph at Mclaughlin, 58 mph at Onida and Mobridge, and 63 mph at Pierre.

1911: The temperature at Rapid City, SD plunged 47 degrees in just fifteen minutes.

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