Storm hits area Sunday night

Winter Storm Xylia moved through the area this week, and although South Central South Dakota didn’t get the kinds of amounts that were dumped on Wyoming and Colorado, the estimated 12 inches received were enough to cause closings across the area.

The heavy, wet snow caused some tree branches to break and even collapsed the roof at the city shop. It also made streets very slippery. Accumulations produced some interesting results such as the strange-looking bird feeders in the upper left photo, the swag effect on the shed roof in the upper right photo, and the heavily encrusted evergreen tree in the center right photo.

Snow was falling again Tuesday morning as the paper went to print, but most of it melted when it landed. The forecast is for an additional inch of accumulation. The thermometer is expected to reach 60 degrees on Friday, and Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday are predicted to bring rain.

While a thick coat of snow makes for beautiful and unusual pictures, the fact remains that after our taste of spring, it is not a welcome sight to many. Others are hoping that the moisture will help alleviate drought concerns. Time will tell what spring and summer have in store for the area.