Looking back at the Northern Black Hills Blizzard of 1998

In late February 1998, a strong winter storm produced heavy snow and prolonged blizzard conditions over much of western South Dakota.  The terrain of the Black Hills enhanced the snowfall over the northern Black Hills, resulting in extraordinary snow amounts.

Snow started shortly after midnight on February 25 and continued until almost midnight March 1 for almost five days of continuous snow.  By March 2, Lead had received almost 115 inches of snow, while Rapid City measured only 1.4 inches.  This storm set several records for Lead.  It produced the greatest storm total snowfall of any storm; the next highest was just under 70 inches in March 1988.  Snowfall on two individual days of the storm ranked as the tenth and twelfth highest daily snowfalls for the station.  The snow depth of 73 inches—more than six feet!—on March 1 is the deepest ever measured in Lead.

Daily snowfall and snow depth at Lead for the storm (inches):

Comparisons to other snowstorms in Lead:

Storm Total Snowfall:

Daily Snowfall:

Snow Depth (additional dates following the maximum for each storm are not included):

An analysis provides greater detail about the scientific aspects of the storm.