A severe winter storm pummeled the Northern Great Plains last week, forcing road and school closures in Powder River County.

The storm dumped a varied amount of snow around the area, with much difficulty to be found in measuring snow depth due to the piercing winds which blew the powdery snow into massive drifts, yet left other areas bare and devoid of snow. Locations along Powder River near Broadus received an estimated 10-12" in the storm, while higher elevations received significantly more snow, on the order of 15-20".

The state closed Highway 212 on the evening of the 13th, and it re-opened around a day later as skies cleared. The worst of the storm hit over the 13th and 14th, as increasing winds whipped the snow into a frenzy.

Six vehicle slide-offs were reported to MHP on December 15th, between Ashland and Home Creek Divide, including a semi flipped over off the edge of the road. We did not hear of injuries.

Broadus Schools were cancelled on Tuesday and Wednesday, and re-opened Thursday despite the dreadful conditions; the opening came at great consternation to many parents, who voiced their opinions online on social media.

On Friday, Broadus schools started an hour later than usual, and by then conditions had cleared and the weather subsided in anticipation of the dreadfully cold weather we are experiencing this week.

Friday and Saturday the county road crew worked to blow out the roads, and continued to do so early into this week. Some of the worst roads were reportedly up on top of the Sonnette/Sayle Road, as well as in the high country around Belle Creek.

With cold temperatures on tap this week (Tuesday morning the low at the Examiner office was -17. The courthouse had -20 on the 21st), early winter is proving to be a serious challenge.