Storm Summary Number 1 for High Plains to Great Lakes Mid-March
Blizzard
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
1000 PM CDT Sat Mar 14 2026

...Blizzard expected this weekend with widespread major impacts
and record-breaking snowfall for portions of the Upper Midwest and
Great Lakes...

Blizzard Warnings are in effect for portions of South Dakota,
Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of
Michigan.

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect
from the Northern Plains to Great Lakes.

For a detailed graphical depiction of the latest watches, warnings
and advisories, please see www.weather.gov

At 900 PM CDT...The low pressure center was beginning to
strengthen over Nebraska with a minimum central pressure of 993 mb
(29.32 in Hg). National Weather Service doppler radar was showing
a swath of light to moderate snow continuing to overspread over
portions of South Dakota through Minnesota and Wisconsin. Surface
observations showed winds gusting between 30 and 40 mph across
South Dakota.

...Selected preliminary Storm Total Snowfall in inches from 400 AM
CDT Sat Mar 14 through 900 PM CDT Sat Mar 14...

...MONTANA...
HELENA 11 W                          10.0                    
MONTANA CITY 1 SE                     7.0                    

...NORTH DAKOTA...
ALMONT 5 S                            4.5                    
DICKINSON                             3.5                    
BISMARCK 3 SSE                        1.8                    

...SOUTH DAKOTA...
FORT PIERRE                           4.0                    
HAYES 7 E                             4.0                    
MUD BUTTE 8 SE                        4.0                    
PIERRE 1 ESE                          4.0                    
VIVIAN 8N                             4.0                    
CREIGHTON 19 NNE                      3.0                    
MILESVILLE 3 WNW                      3.0                    


A swath of heavy snowfall is expected from Montana eastward
through the Northern Plains, upper Midwest and into the Great
Lakes. Snowfall rates between 1 and 3 inches per hour are expected
within the heaviest bands from eastern South Dakota to northern
Michigan. Widespread snowfall totals of 1 to 3 feet are expected,
with locally higher amounts possible. The heavy snow will combine
with strong winds gusting up to 60 mph, producing significant
blowing and drifting snow and limited visibilities. Travel will be
very dangerous to impossible due to whiteout conditions. Power
outages and tree damage are likely. South of the heaviest snow, a
corridor of mixed precipitation and ice is expected. Ice
accumulations exceeding a quarter inch are possible across
northern portions of the lower Peninsula of Michigan.

The next Storm Summary will be issued by the Weather Prediction
Center at 1000 AM CDT. Please refer to your local National Weather
Service office for additional information on this event.

Eovino