CURRENT WEATHER CONDITIONS: AFTERNOON UPDATE
Portions of the Black Hills are still seeing snow, as well as heavy winds and low visibility.
RAPID CITY, S.D.- The City of Lead has asked the public NOT to travel unless it’s an emergency. According to the City of Lead’s Facebook page,
“The City Crew cannot do their job and tend to the streets with the numerous accidents they are tending to.”
Photo courtesy of The City of Lead’s Facebook page
As we go into this Wednesday afternoon, the visibility for the Black Hills area has been very low. If you do have to travel, please make sure:
- Don’t use high beams.
- Please take it slow on the roadways giving extra time to get from Point “A” to Point “B”.
Looking at the above map, Spearfish, Sundance, Deadwood, Sturgis, Rapid City and Ekalaka, all have visibility that’s less than 5 miles.
The closer the air temperature is to the dew point, the closer the air is to saturation. When there is fog and low visibility, the temperature and the dew point will be pretty close.
The temperatures range in the 30’s from Ekalaka south to Custer, and from Sundance to Pine Ridge and Martin. The 40’s dominate from Lemmon south to Interior, and over in Sheridan and Buffalo, in North Central Wyoming.
The current temp in Rapid City is 36 degrees with a dew point of 34. Sturgis is at 39 degrees with a dew point of 33. Spearfish is at 32 degrees with a dew point of 28. Deadwood, 31 degrees with a dew point of 27. The temperatures and dew points are very close together and is consequently the reason for the fog and low visibility in these areas.
In this picture from the Towercam in Deadwood, low visibility is evident.
The wind also is a raging opponent.
Wind speeds are up there with 39 MPH sustained in Rapid City, 37 MPH in Buffalo South Dakota, 36 MPH in Gillette, with gusts right now between 30 – 50 plus MPH. The wind gusts in Rapid City are 56 MPH, with Buffalo, WY seeing 59 MPH gusts. The highest gusts today in Rapid City and Buffalo, SD was 63 MPH. Philip, made it to a 67 MPH.
The weather advisories are still effective for the majority of the NC1 Viewing Area. Please download the NC1 Weather App on your mobile device to receive the latest updates including any advisories change. The Weather APP will ensure that you are receiving the most up-to-date information.
THE BOTTOM LINE…
The main items of concern are the lingering snow. Additionally, a few inches here and there is not out of the question.
The wind will continue to blow. If driving a light or high profile vehicle, please take it slow this evening.
Slippery roads are likely as well as blowing snow. Bridges and overpasses are always the first ones to freeze, so please use caution.
Chief Meteorologist Brant Beckman will have the latest on timing and what you can expect for your neighborhood starting at 5:30 PM on NewsCenter1. The program will also be available at NC1.TV, or on the NewsCenter1 App on your mobile device.
