As we start to ease into another South Dakota winter, thoughts of shoveling snow and dealing with icy sidewalks might seem disheartening. Hopefully we’ll have a nice, mild winter, but here are ten horrific winter storms in South Dakota that remind us just how bad it can get.

1. January 12, 1888
Library of Congress
After a few days of winter storms in South Dakota, on the morning of January 12, 1888, the weather was unseasonably warm. People left home to run errands and do chores. The Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888 swept across the Dakotas during mid-morning, taking many by surprise. Sadly, 235 people across several states, including South Dakota, died. Many froze to death when they tried to find their homes in whiteout conditions.
2. May 3-4, 1905
Library of Congress
Known as The Great Equalizer, this blizzard affected ranches of all sizes. The storm started with rain, but turned to snow...and ended up dumping three to four feet in some areas. Cattle, sheep and horses died out on the prairie as they wandered off and froze to death. Losses at some ranches were estimated at as high as 90 percent of their herds; thousands of animals died.
3. January/February, 1949
South Dakota State Archives/Facebook
On January 2nd, 1949, a snowstorm hit South Dakota, along with several other nearby states. The storm raged for several days, dropping feet of heavy snow and nearly producing record snowfall in South Dakota. Later storms in early February brought high winds and caused huge snowdrifts up to 35 feet high. Buildings were all but covered with snow, and the railroad came to a dead stop as trains were buried and had to be dug out.
4. March 2-5, 1966
skua47/flickr
With snowfall of 20-30 inches and high winds of up to 70 miles per hour, this blizzard is still considered one of the worst winter storms in South Dakota history. Thousands of livestock died during the storm, and power was out for days. At least six South Dakotans died; some from the exertion of shoveling snow, others from getting lost in the blizzard.
5. March 29, 1981
Western Area Power/flickr
When power lines are covered in snow and ice, they break. On March 29, 1981, more than 15,000 power poles did just that, leaving South Dakotans huddling in their homes, trying to stay warm without power. The storm left more than 10 inches of snow on the ground, and many cars overturned on I-29.

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6. November 27, 2005
Western Area Power/flickr
Ice was also a major problem during a storm on November 27, 2005. The storm left a deep layer of snow, but freezing rain was an even bigger issue, freezing much of the state in inches of ice. Car accidents were rampant, and at least two people died.
7. April 25, 2008
Paul/flickr
Ten to 15 inches of snow fell in East River during the blizzard of April 25, 2008. Snowfall records were broken, and Watertown received 19 inches in less than 24 hours.
8. January, 20-26 2010
Stephanie/flickr
East River took another major hit in January, 2010, when a disastrous storm caused over $10 million in property damage. Major power outages caused by drifting snow and ice displaced many into 31 emergency shelters. Whiteout conditions closed down the freeway system, leaving even more people stranded.
9. April, 2013
J Voitus/flickr
2013 brought two major snowstorms to South Dakota. During a severe storm from April 8th through the 10th, Deadwood received 30 inches of snow. Record snowfall in South Dakota caused transportation problems. Ice knocked out power lines.
10. October 4-5, 2013
Aaron Molina/flickr
Four people died during this two-day storm in October, 2013. Heavy snowfall was recorded state-wide, but Lead received 55 inches of snow in just two days. Thousands of cattle died; people were left without power for several days, and even large trees were felled with the snow and ice.

What are some of the winter storms in South Dakota you’ll never forget? Let us know in the comments! Do you remember any of these natural disasters in South Dakota?

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Winter Storms In South Dakota

Beth Price-Williams | October 18, 2021

What can I expect if I spend winter in South Dakota?

Winter in South Dakota can be as beautiful as it is brutal. What would you tell someone who is not from South Dakota about how to survive a winter? It’s pretty common that most of us slow down on snowy days as we travel down the highway, but some motorists insist on going the speed limit. That means their vehicle will spit snow all over our windshield. School and work usually aren’t canceled, and we get some pretty good workouts from digging our cars and our homes out after a big snowstorm. Then there’s the fun…skiing, snowmobiling, and sled riding.

Have there ever been any natural disasters in South Dakota?

South Dakota’s a beautiful state with a rich history. Unfortunately, it’s also had its fair share of natural disasters. The tornado in Spencer, for example, hit on May 30, 1986 and was the state’s most destructive tornado. Half of the population moved away in its aftermath. The deadly Schoolhouse Blizzard of 1888 saw temperatures plunge to -20 degrees Fahrenheit and claimed more than 230 lives. If you lived in South Dakota in 2013, you undoubtedly remember the ice storm that late spring. Ice as thick as three and four inches covered car windows, utility poles, and house windows while countless animals died in the bitter cold.

What are some of the best winter hikes in South Dakota?

We certainly can’t escape from the winter, the cold, and the snow, so we might as well enjoy it as best we can. Nothing compares to the beauty of the landscape in South Dakota after a fresh snowfall. One of the best ways to admire that beauty is to set off on a scenic winter hike in South Dakota. Slip on your sturdiest snow boots and bundle up for a trek along the Mount Roosevelt Trail Winter Route in Spearfish that will lead you through the snow-capped forest. Badlands National Park, Good Earth State Park at Blood Run, and Sheridan Lake Flume Trail all feature picture-perfect trails in the winter, too.

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