BELLE FOURCHE—The wind has been the story this winter. Although snowfall has been limited, retired meteorologist Susan Sanders says the area has experienced unprecedented wind. “The wind. I have never seen so much wind—widespread wind and strong, especially in the hills. Have you been through the hills lately and seen all the tree damage? It’s just amazing how many trees are down!”
During her presentation, Weather Matters, at the First Saturday Brunch at the Tri-State Museum on Saturday, February 7, Sanders discussed the wind and other notable weather phenomena in the hills, including snow patterns and storms throughout history.
The town of Lead holds all of the snowfall records for South Dakota, she said—most snowfall in one day, most snow in one month and most snow in one season. “This year we’re not doing so well—they’ve only gotten 37 inches of snow this year, when normal snowfall for this year would be 99 inches, so only a third of the snow—we’re over halfway through the snow season, so hopefully March and April,” said Sanders. “April is the snowiest month in the whole area, so hopefully we’ll be able to get some more!”
Other events in the area were discussed such as the remarkable temperature fluctuations of January 22, 1943 and the Winter Storm Atlas of 2013. She attributes the distinctive weather patterns to the unique topography of the Black Hills, which rise above the cold air like an island and contribute to rapid changes in short distances.
The First Saturday Brunch is a monthly event (held every month except July) at the Tri-State Museum, combining a delicious meal with an engaging speaker program. Guests can arrive at 10 a.m. to enjoy breakfast and refreshments, and the speaker program begins at 10:30 a.m. Each month features a different presenter covering a variety of local history and regional topics.
Reservations are required. For those without a museum membership, there is a $5 fee, but the brunch is free for museum members. Attending just the presentation without the meal carries no charge, making it easy for anyone to join in and learn.
The next brunch is scheduled for March 7, when presenter David Super will discuss Bitten, Kicked and Stomped: Deadwood’s First College-Trained Vet.
The First Saturday Brunch offers a fun, informative way to connect with local history, enjoy a meal, and meet other community members who share an interest in the Black Hills and surrounding region.
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