Alert archive / Minnesota / Blizzard Warnings in 2015

Blizzard Warning 1, NWS Twin Cities, MN

January 3, 20154 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this blizzard warning at Jan 3, 2015, 6:27 PM CST for 4 counties in Minnesota. It was in force for 7 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Jan 3, 2015, 6:27 PM CST (00:27 UTC)
Expired
Jan 4, 2015, 1:00 AM CST
In force
7 hr
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Blue Earth County, MN, Faribault County, MN, Martin County, MN, Watonwan County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 126 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 00:24 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.

Open the radar archive at this moment

The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 00:00Z, 0.5 hours before the alert went out and 125 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.

Skew-T log-pSkew-T log-p diagram, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2015-01-04Temperature and dew point through the depth of the atmosphere, with the mixed-layer parcel. CAPE 0 joules per kilogram.LCL10008507005003002001001 km2 km3 km6 km9 km12 km15 km-30°-20°-10°10°20°30°40°
Temperature in red, dew point in green, the mixed-layer parcel dashed.
HodographHodograph, Minneapolis, MN at 00:00Z on 2015-01-04The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -91 square meters per square second.1939587897117Sfc1 km3 km6 km9 kmRMLM
The wind turning with height, colored by layer: ground to 1 km, 1 to 3 km, 3 to 6 km, 6 to 10 km.
Mixed-layer CAPE
0 J/kg
Mixed-layer CIN
No buoyant parcel
Mixed-layer LCL
617 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-91 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
41 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted, in the capitals the NWS used until 2016.

955 
WWUS43 KMPX 040027
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW FOR SOUTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT WITH
ANOTHER BLAST OF ARCTIC AIR AND DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

...POTENTIAL FOR WINTER STORM INCREASING ACROSS WESTERN AND
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA MONDAY AFTERNOON AND MONDAY EVENING...

.A BLIZZARD WARNING HAS BEEN ISSUED THIS EVENING FOR A SMALL PART
OF SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA. THIS INCLUDES THE AREA AROUND
FAIRMONT... BLUE EARTH... ST JAMES AND MANKATO. ONE OR TWO INCHES
OF SNOW...ALONG WITH WINDS GUSTING UP TO 45 MPH...WILL CAUSE NEAR
ZERO VISIBILITY IN OPEN COUNTRY... ESPECIALLY SOUTHWEST AND SOUTH
OF MANKATO.

STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL QUICKLY DEVELOP BEHIND AN ARCTIC FRONT
CAUSING BLOWING SNOW AND VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS ACROSS SOUTHERN
MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURES WILL PLUMMET TONIGHT. COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS...
DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILL VALUES OF 25 TO 35 BELOW WILL RESULT.
A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT AREA WIDE TONIGHT THROUGH
SUNDAY AFTERNOON. AN EVEN COLDER AIRMASS WILL ARRIVE SUNDAY NIGHT
AND EARLY MONDAY ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND NORTHWESTERN
WISCONSIN WHERE WIND CHILLS AS LOW AS 40 BELOW ARE POSSIBLE...AND
A WIND CHILL WATCH GOES INTO EFFECT.

FINALLY...A POTENT CLIPPER SYSTEM WILL TRACK SOUTHEAST FROM
MONTANA ACROSS NORTHERN NEBRASKA AND IOWA MONDAY. A SHIELD OF
SNOW TO THE NORTH OF THE SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE A PERIOD OF HEAVY
SNOW LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON AND MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL RATES MAY
REACH 2 INCHES AN HOUR. DESPITE IT BEING A SHORT DURATION EVENT...
SEVERAL INCHES ARE LIKELY FROM WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA THROUGH
SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA.

MNZ082-083-091-092-040830-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150104T1200Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.BZ.W.0001.150104T0027Z-150104T0700Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0002.150104T0700Z-150104T1200Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.150104T0300Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0001.150105T2100Z-150106T0600Z/
WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. JAMES...MANKATO...FAIRMONT...
BLUE EARTH
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CST SUNDAY...
...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM CST
SUNDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

THE NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE IN TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN HAS ISSUED
A BLIZZARD WARNING...WHICH IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CST SUNDAY. A
WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS ALSO BEEN ISSUED. THIS WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY FOR BLOWING SNOW IS IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM CST
SUNDAY. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST
SUNDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING.

FOR THE BLIZZARD WARNING...

* IMPACTS: NORTHWEST WINDS OF 25 TO 35 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH
  ALONG WITH ONE OR TWO INCHES OF FALLING SNOW...LEADING TO
  VISIBILITY NEAR ZERO AT TIMES.

* TIMING: UNTIL 1 AM.

FOR THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...

* IMPACTS: NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH 
  WILL CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...LEADING TO 
  REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND DIFFICULT TRAVEL. 

* TIMING: LATE TONIGHT.

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 25 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH...

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL WITH SNOW COVERED ROADS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 9 INCHES.

* TIMING: THE SNOW WILL BEGIN MID AFTERNOON MONDAY AND QUICKLY 
  BECOME HEAVY BEFORE TAPERING OFF LATE MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL 
  RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. 


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A BLIZZARD WARNING MEANS SEVERE WINTER WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE
EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. FALLING AND BLOWING SNOW WITH STRONG WINDS
AND POOR VISIBILITIES ARE LIKELY. THIS WILL LEAD TO WHITEOUT
CONDITIONS...MAKING TRAVEL EXTREMELY DANGEROUS. DO NOT TRAVEL. IF
YOU MUST TRAVEL...HAVE A WINTER SURVIVAL KIT WITH YOU. IF YOU GET
STRANDED...STAY WITH YOUR VEHICLE.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. 
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ076-077-084-085-093-040830-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0001.150104T0700Z-150104T1200Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.150104T0300Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0001.150105T2100Z-150106T0600Z/
LE SUEUR-RICE-WASECA-STEELE-FREEBORN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LE SUEUR...FARIBAULT...WASECA...
OWATONNA...ALBERT LEA
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM CST
SUNDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS NOW IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 6 AM
CST SUNDAY. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM
CST SUNDAY. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. 

FOR THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...

* IMPACTS: NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH 
  WILL CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...LEADING TO 
  REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND DIFFICULT TRAVEL. 

* TIMING: LATE TONIGHT.

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 25 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH...

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL WITH SNOW COVERED ROADS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 9 INCHES.

* TIMING: THE SNOW WILL BEGIN MID AFTERNOON MONDAY AND QUICKLY 
  BECOME HEAVY BEFORE TAPERING OFF LATE MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL 
  RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ065-067-073>075-040830-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.150104T0300Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0001.150105T2100Z-150106T0600Z/
RENVILLE-SIBLEY-REDWOOD-BROWN-NICOLLET-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...OLIVIA...GAYLORD...REDWOOD FALLS...
NEW ULM...ST. PETER
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY. A
WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. 

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: AROUND 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH...

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL WITH SNOW COVERED ROADS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 9 INCHES.

* TIMING: THE SNOW WILL BEGIN MID AFTERNOON MONDAY AND QUICKLY 
  BECOME HEAVY BEFORE TAPERING OFF LATE MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL 
  RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ054-056-064-040830-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0001.150105T2100Z-150106T0600Z/
LAC QUI PARLE-CHIPPEWA-YELLOW MEDICINE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MADISON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY. A
WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. 

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: AROUND 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH...

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL WITH SNOW COVERED ROADS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 9 INCHES.

* TIMING: THE SNOW WILL BEGIN MID AFTERNOON MONDAY AND QUICKLY 
  BECOME HEAVY BEFORE TAPERING OFF LATE MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL 
  RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ041-040830-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.A.0001.150105T0000Z-150105T1800Z/
DOUGLAS-
INCLUDING THE CITY OF...ALEXANDRIA
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...
...WIND CHILL WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY. A
WIND CHILL WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING. 

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 30 BELOW TO 35 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WIND CHILL WATCH...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 35 BELOW TO 40 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WIND CHILL WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A COMBINATION
OF VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS TO CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND
CHILL VALUES. MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND WARNINGS FOR
UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION.

&&

$$

MNZ042>045-050-052-053-WIZ014>016-027-040830-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.150104T0300Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.A.0001.150105T0000Z-150105T1800Z/
TODD-MORRISON-MILLE LACS-KANABEC-BENTON-ISANTI-CHISAGO-POLK-
BARRON-RUSK-CHIPPEWA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LONG PRAIRIE...LITTLE FALLS...
PRINCETON...MORA...FOLEY...CAMBRIDGE...CENTER CITY...AMERY...
BALSAM LAKE...RICE LAKE...BARRON...LADYSMITH...CHIPPEWA FALLS...
BLOOMER
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...
...WIND CHILL WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY. A
WIND CHILL WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING. 

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 30 BELOW TO 35 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WIND CHILL WATCH...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 35 BELOW TO 40 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WIND CHILL WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A COMBINATION
OF VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS TO CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND
CHILL VALUES. MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND WARNINGS FOR
UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION.

&&

$$

MNZ047-048-055-040830-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
STEVENS-POPE-SWIFT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...BENSON
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY. 

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 30 BELOW TO 35 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

&&

$$

MNZ049-051-057>063-066-068>070-078-WIZ023>026-028-040830-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.150104T0300Z-150105T0000Z/
STEARNS-SHERBURNE-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-WRIGHT-HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-
WASHINGTON-MCLEOD-CARVER-SCOTT-DAKOTA-GOODHUE-ST. CROIX-PIERCE-
DUNN-PEPIN-EAU CLAIRE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. CLOUD...ELK RIVER...WILLMAR...
LITCHFIELD...MONTICELLO...MINNEAPOLIS...BLAINE...ST. PAUL...
STILLWATER...HUTCHINSON...CHASKA...SHAKOPEE...BURNSVILLE...
RED WING...HUDSON...NEW RICHMOND...RIVER FALLS...PRESCOTT...
MENOMONIE...BOYCEVILLE...DURAND...PEPIN...EAU CLAIRE...ALTOONA
627 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST SUNDAY. 

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 25 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

&&

$$
1 follow-up statement
423 
WWUS43 KMPX 040716
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
116 AM CST SUN JAN 4 2015

...SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW FOR SOUTHERN MINNESOTA TONIGHT WITH
ANOTHER BLAST OF ARCTIC AIR AND DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILLS
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

...POTENTIAL FOR WINTER STORM INCREASING ACROSS WESTERN AND
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA MONDAY AFTERNOON AND MONDAY EVENING...

.STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS WILL QUICKLY DEVELOP BEHIND AN ARCTIC
FRONT CAUSING BLOWING SNOW AND VISIBILITY RESTRICTIONS ACROSS
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA.

TEMPERATURES WILL PLUMMET TONIGHT. COMBINED WITH STRONG WINDS...
DANGEROUSLY COLD WIND CHILL VALUES OF 25 TO 35 BELOW WILL RESULT.
A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT AREA WIDE TONIGHT THROUGH
SUNDAY AFTERNOON. AN EVEN COLDER AIRMASS WILL ARRIVE SUNDAY NIGHT
AND EARLY MONDAY ACROSS CENTRAL MINNESOTA AND NORTHWESTERN
WISCONSIN WHERE WIND CHILLS AS LOW AS 40 BELOW ARE POSSIBLE...AND
A WIND CHILL WATCH GOES INTO EFFECT.

FINALLY...A POTENT CLIPPER SYSTEM WILL TRACK SOUTHEAST FROM
MONTANA ACROSS NORTHERN NEBRASKA AND IOWA MONDAY. A SHIELD OF
SNOW TO THE NORTH OF THE SYSTEM WILL PRODUCE A PERIOD OF HEAVY
SNOW LATE MONDAY AFTERNOON AND MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL RATES MAY
REACH 2 INCHES AN HOUR. DESPITE IT BEING A SHORT DURATION EVENT...
SEVERAL INCHES ARE LIKELY FROM WEST CENTRAL MINNESOTA THROUGH
SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA.

MNZ082-083-091-092-041500-
/O.EXP.KMPX.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-150104T0700Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0002.000000T0000Z-150104T1200Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0001.150105T2100Z-150106T0600Z/
WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ST. JAMES...MANKATO...FAIRMONT...
BLUE EARTH
116 AM CST SUN JAN 4 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST EARLY
THIS MORNING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...
...BLIZZARD WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

THE BLIZZARD WARNING IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT. A WINTER WEATHER
ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST EARLY THIS MORNING. A
WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. 

FOR THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...

* IMPACTS: NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH 
  WILL CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...LEADING TO 
  REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND DIFFICULT TRAVEL. 

* TIMING: THROUGH DAYBREAK THIS MORNING.

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 25 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH...

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL WITH SNOW COVERED ROADS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 9 INCHES.

* TIMING: THE SNOW WILL BEGIN MID AFTERNOON MONDAY AND QUICKLY
  BECOME HEAVY BEFORE TAPERING OFF LATE MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL
  RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING AND
BLOWING SNOW. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN
AREAS.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN. 
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ076-077-084-085-093-041500-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150104T1200Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0001.150105T2100Z-150106T0600Z/
LE SUEUR-RICE-WASECA-STEELE-FREEBORN-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...LE SUEUR...FARIBAULT...WASECA...
OWATONNA...ALBERT LEA
116 AM CST SUN JAN 4 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST EARLY
THIS MORNING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 AM CST EARLY
THIS MORNING. A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM
CST THIS EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM
MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. 

FOR THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY...

* IMPACTS: NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH WITH GUSTS TO 45 MPH 
  WILL CREATE AREAS OF BLOWING AND DRIFTING SNOW...LEADING TO 
  REDUCED VISIBILITIES AND DIFFICULT TRAVEL. 

* TIMING: THROUGH DAYBREAK THIS MORNING.

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 25 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH...

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL WITH SNOW COVERED ROADS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 9 INCHES.

* TIMING: THE SNOW WILL BEGIN MID AFTERNOON MONDAY AND QUICKLY 
  BECOME HEAVY BEFORE TAPERING OFF LATE MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL 
  RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SNOW AND BLOWING SNOW MEANS THAT
VISIBILITIES WILL BE LIMITED DUE TO A COMBINATION OF FALLING AND
BLOWING SNOW. USE CAUTION WHEN TRAVELING...ESPECIALLY IN OPEN
AREAS.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ054-056-064-065-067-073>075-041500-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0001.150105T2100Z-150106T0600Z/
LAC QUI PARLE-CHIPPEWA-YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-SIBLEY-REDWOOD-
BROWN-NICOLLET-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MADISON...MONTEVIDEO...GRANITE FALLS...
OLIVIA...GAYLORD...REDWOOD FALLS...NEW ULM...ST. PETER
116 AM CST SUN JAN 4 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON
THROUGH MONDAY EVENING...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING. A WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MONDAY
AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING. 

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: AROUND 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WINTER STORM WATCH...

* IMPACTS: DIFFICULT TRAVEL WITH SNOW COVERED ROADS.

* SNOW ACCUMULATIONS: 5 TO 9 INCHES.

* TIMING: THE SNOW WILL BEGIN MID AFTERNOON MONDAY AND QUICKLY 
  BECOME HEAVY BEFORE TAPERING OFF LATE MONDAY EVENING. SNOWFALL 
  RATES OF 2 INCHES PER HOUR ARE POSSIBLE. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WINTER STORM WATCH MEANS THERE IS A POTENTIAL FOR SIGNIFICANT
SNOW...SLEET...OR ICE ACCUMULATIONS THAT MAY IMPACT TRAVEL.
CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS.

&&

$$

MNZ041>045-050-052-053-WIZ014>016-027-041500-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.A.0001.150105T0000Z-150105T1800Z/
DOUGLAS-TODD-MORRISON-MILLE LACS-KANABEC-BENTON-ISANTI-CHISAGO-
POLK-BARRON-RUSK-CHIPPEWA-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...ALEXANDRIA...LONG PRAIRIE...
LITTLE FALLS...PRINCETON...MORA...FOLEY...CAMBRIDGE...
CENTER CITY...AMERY...BALSAM LAKE...RICE LAKE...BARRON...
LADYSMITH...CHIPPEWA FALLS...BLOOMER
116 AM CST SUN JAN 4 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...
...WIND CHILL WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING. A WIND CHILL WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING. 

FOR THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 30 BELOW TO 35 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

FOR THE WIND CHILL WATCH...

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 35 BELOW TO 40 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

A WIND CHILL WATCH MEANS THERE IS THE POTENTIAL FOR A COMBINATION
OF VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS TO CREATE DANGEROUSLY LOW WIND
CHILL VALUES. MONITOR THE LATEST FORECASTS AND WARNINGS FOR
UPDATES ON THIS SITUATION.

&&

$$

MNZ047>049-051-055-057>063-066-068>070-078-WIZ023>026-028-041500-
/O.CON.KMPX.WC.Y.0001.000000T0000Z-150105T0000Z/
STEVENS-POPE-STEARNS-SHERBURNE-SWIFT-KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-WRIGHT-
HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-WASHINGTON-MCLEOD-CARVER-SCOTT-DAKOTA-
GOODHUE-ST. CROIX-PIERCE-DUNN-PEPIN-EAU CLAIRE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...MORRIS...GLENWOOD...ST. CLOUD...
ELK RIVER...BENSON...WILLMAR...LITCHFIELD...MONTICELLO...
MINNEAPOLIS...BLAINE...ST. PAUL...STILLWATER...HUTCHINSON...
CHASKA...SHAKOPEE...BURNSVILLE...RED WING...HUDSON...
NEW RICHMOND...RIVER FALLS...PRESCOTT...MENOMONIE...BOYCEVILLE...
DURAND...PEPIN...EAU CLAIRE...ALTOONA
116 AM CST SUN JAN 4 2015

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING. 

* WIND CHILL VALUES: 25 BELOW TO 30 BELOW ZERO.

* TIMING: LATE THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY AFTERNOON.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY MEANS THAT VERY COLD AIR AND STRONG WINDS
WILL COMBINE TO GENERATE LOW WIND CHILLS. THIS WILL RESULT IN
FROSTBITE AND LEAD TO HYPOTHERMIA IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.
IF YOU MUST VENTURE OUTDOORS...MAKE SURE YOU WEAR A HAT AND
GLOVES.

&&

$$

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before this blizzard warning went out, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before this blizzard warning went out at Jan 3, 4:24 PM CST, 2 hours 3 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 3, 4:24 PM CST, 2 hours 3 minutes before
AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
424 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

.SHORT TERM...(THIS EVENING THROUGH SUNDAY)
ISSUED AT 424 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

A STRONG ARCTIC BOUNDARY STILL ON TRACK TO MOVE ACROSS THE FORECAST
AREA OVER THE NEXT 12 HOURS...DROP SOME LIGHT SNOW AND BRING VERY
COLD WIND CHILLS BY TOMORROW MORNING. THE WINDS ACROSS THE WESTERN
HALF OF MN HAS ALREADY SWITCHED TO THE NORTHWEST. THE RADARS ACROSS
MN AREN'T SHOWING MUCH THIS AFTERNOON...BUT WE EXPECT THE SNOW TO
DEVELOP MORE OR LESS RIGHT OVERHEAD. WE HAVE SEEN A NOTABLE INCREASE
IN THE AMOUNT OF FGEN BELOW 700MB...ESPECIALLY FROM 925-850MB. THIS
MATCHES WELL WILL A LOWERING OF CLOUD BASES ACROSS MUCH OF WESTERN
MN. EARLIER TODAY WE ONLY HAD A MID DECK...NOW THERE ARE A LOT OF
SUB 2000FT CEILINGS IN MN...SO IT IS ONLY A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE A
SOMEWHAT NARROW SNOW BAND FILLS IN BETWEEN THE SNOW BEING OBSERVED
IN NEBRASKA AND THOSE LIGHT RADAR RETURNS SHOWING UP ON NWS DLH'S
RADAR. ONCE FORMED...THIS BAND SHOULD REMAIN LARGELY INTACT OR
STRENGTHEN AS IT GRADUALLY MOVES EAST THROUGHOUT THE EVENING. WE
CONTINUED THE WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR SOUTH CENTRAL MN...AS THIS
CONTINUES TO BE THE AREA WHERE WE ARE MOST CONCERNED ABOUT BLOWING
SNOW. THIS AREA SHOULD HAVE BOTH THE WIND AND 1-2" OF SNOW...ENOUGH
SNOW TO CAUSE PROBLEMS WITH EXPECTED WIND GUSTS ABOVE 30KTS. WE ALSO
EXPANDED THE WIND CHILL ADVISORY FARTHER EAST TO COVER THE ENTIRE
FORECAST AREA TONIGHT AND THROUGH TOMORROW. FAR EASTERN MN AND
WESTERN WI WILL NOT SEE THE SUB -20/-25 WIND CHILLS UNTIL EARLY
TOMORROW MORNING...BUT FOR HEADLINE SIMPLICITY SAKE...WE JUST
STARTED EVERYTHING AFTER MIDNIGHT TONIGHT. THERE WILL BE LITTLE TO
NO RECOVERY DURING THE DAY TOMORROW. IN FACT...MUCH OF THE EASTERN
FORECAST AREA WILL SEE HIGH TEMPS IN THE MORNING AND CONTINUE TO
FALL DURING THE DAY.

.LONG TERM...(SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH SATURDAY)
ISSUED AT 424 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

A 1043 MB HIGH WILL SETTLE SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE MID MISSOURI
VALLEY SUNDAY NIGHT. CLEAR SKIES AND A LESSENING OF THE PRESSURE
GRADIENT SHOULD ALLOW TEMPS TO GET QUITE COLD. THINK MOS IS STILL
OVERDOING IT A BIT WITH -20S...AND USUALLY ITS THE RAW MODEL OUTPUT
THAT VERIFIES BETTER IF WINDS DO NOT DECOUPLE IN SUCH COLD SNAPS.
THUS...CONTINUED THE -10 TO -20 DEGREE LOW IDEA...WITH THE COLDEST
TEMPS ACROSS CENTRAL MN AND NWRN WI. A 5-10 KT WIND SHOULD ALLOW
WIND CHILLS TO FLIRT WITH WARNING CRITERIA OF 35 TO 40 BELOW INTO
MONDAY MORNING...THEREFORE ISSUED A WIND CHILL WATCH FOR THESE
AREAS AFTER COLLABORATION WITH WFO DLH/ARX/GRB.

MODELS HAVE TRENDED SLIGHTLY SOUTHWEST FOR THE SYSTEM MONDAY AND
MONDAY NIGHT...BUT THE 18Z NAM AND GFS HAVE COME BACK SLIGHTLY
NORTHEAST. BOTTOM LINE HERE...IT WILL TAKE ANOTHER FEW RUNS BEFORE
WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA WHERE THE HEAVIEST SWATH OF SNOW WILL SET UP
MONDAY AFTERNOON AND EVENING. FOR NOW...ISSUED A WINTER STORM
WATCH WHERE THE BEST CHANCE FOR 6+ INCHES TO FALL REGARDLESS OF
ANY FURTHER MINOR CHANGES IN THE TRACK. IT IS POSSIBLE THE WATCH
MAY BE EXPANDED NORTHEAST CLOSER TO I-94 IF TRENDS CONTINUE.

DYNAMICS AND MOISTURE CONTENT OF THIS SYSTEM GIVEN THE COLD AIR IN
PLACE ARE BIG ADVANTAGES IT HAS GOING FOR IT. FORECAST SOUNDINGS
STILL ADVERTISE THE ENTIRE SOUNDING BELOW 600MB AS BEING FAVORABLE
TO GROW LARGE DENDRITES SOUTH OF I-94. THE TRICKIEST THING ABOUT
THIS SYSTEM IS HOW FAR NORTH THIS FAVORABLE REGION WILL EXTEND. ON
THE NORTHERN EDGE OF THE SYSTEM...THE SOUNDING WILL LIKELY BE TOO
COLD TO SUPPORT DENDRITES AND THE NEEDLES THAT WOULD RESULT WOULD
NOT COME CLOSE TO YIELDING THE 20 OR 25:1 RATIOS. COULD BE CLOSER
TO 10:1. WITH DRIER CONDITIONS ALSO IN PLACE THERE...IT WOULD BE
A DOUBLE NEGATIVE. SO...A TIGHT GRADIENT IS LIKELY ON THE NORTHERN
EDGE.

IT DOES NOT LOOK TOO WINDY IMMEDIATELY BEHIND THE SYSTEM MONDAY
NIGHT...BUT AS A STRENGTHENING SURFACE HIGH BUILDS SOUTHEAST INTO
THE NORTHERN PLAINS TUESDAY AFTERNOON AND NIGHT...THE CAA WILL
INTENSIFY AND GUSTS COULD EXCEED 30-40 MPH AGAIN ALONG THE
MINNESOTA RIVER VALLEY. THIS WOULD LIKELY BRING BLIZZARD
CONDITIONS IF THOSE WINDS MATERIALIZE GIVEN THE FRESH...VERY
FLUFFY SNOW PACK FROM MONDAY NIGHT.

THE RIDGE WILL BUILD TO A MONSTER 1055-1060 MB HIGH WEDNESDAY
MORNING AND SETTLE ACROSS THE CENTRAL PLAINS. ACCORDING TO
RESEARCH FROM WPC...THE HIGHER END OF THAT RANGE WOULD BREAK ALL
TIME HIGH PRESSURE RECORDS IN THAT AREA BY A FEW MILLIBARS. VERY
IMPRESSIVE. REGARDLESS...850 MB TEMPS WILL DROP TO -25C NEAR THE
SODAK BORDER AND POSSIBLY TO -30C OVER WESTERN WISCONSIN WEDNESDAY
MORNING. 925 MB TEMPS WON/T RISE ABOVE -25C UNTIL TOWARD
EVENING..SO ITS POSSIBLE HIGHS MAY REMAIN COLDER THAN 3 OR 4 BELOW
IN MOST PLACES. WINDS WILL LESSEN AND BACK SOUTHWEST WEDNESDAY
NIGHT...BUT THE AXIS OF THE RIDGE WILL BE NEARBY AS WELL. DESPITE
THE WEAK WAA...WEDNESDAY NIGHT MAY BE THE COLDEST YET IF WINDS
CAN DECOUPLE MORE THAN CURRENTLY ANTICIPATED.

MILDER AIR WILL RETURN THURSDAY AS THE HIGH DRIFTS EAST...BUT
ANOTHER SHOT OF ARCTIC AIR MAY ROTATE THROUGH FRIDAY INTO
SATURDAY.

&&

.AVIATION...(FOR THE 18Z TAFS THROUGH 18Z SUNDAY AFTERNOON)
ISSUED AT 221 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

MVFR CEILINGS AND MVFR/IFR VIS IS EXPECTED THIS EVENING AND EARLY
TONIGHT ACROSS MANY OF THE TAFS...ESPECIALLY FARTHER EAST DUE TO
LIGHT SNOW. WINDS WILL INCREASE DRAMATICALLY THIS EVENING. CLOUDS
WILL CLEAR LATER ON TONIGHT.

KMSP...

LOOKS LIKE THE HEAVIER SNOW BAND WILL SET UP JUST EAST OF THE
AIRPORT THIS EVENING...BUT WE HAVE HIGH CONFIDENCE IN A 2 TO 4
HOUR PERIOD OF LIGHT SNOW THIS EVENING AT THE AIRPORT...WITH A
DUSTING UP TO ABOUT 1" OF ACCUMULATION.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/

MON...VFR. WINDS W AT 10G15KTS.
MON NGT...MVFR/SN LIKELY. 1-4+ INCH ACCUM POSSIBLE. WINDS SE 10
KTS BCMG N.
TUE...VFR. WINDS NW 15 KTS.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...WINTER STORM WATCH FROM MONDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH MONDAY EVENING
     FOR MNZ054-056-064-065-067-073>077-082>085-091>093.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 6 AM CST SUNDAY
     FOR MNZ076-077-084-085-093.

     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY
     FOR MNZ042>045-049>053-057>063-065>070-073>078-082>085-
     091>093.

     WIND CHILL WATCH FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR
     MNZ041>045-050-052-053.

     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY
     FOR MNZ041-047-048-054>056-064.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM CST
     SUNDAY FOR MNZ082-083-091-092.

WI...WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 PM CST SUNDAY
     FOR WIZ014>016-023>028.

     WIND CHILL WATCH FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH MONDAY MORNING FOR
     WIZ014>016-027.

&&

SHORT TERM...CLF
LONG TERM...BORGHOFF
AVIATION...CLF
Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 3, 12:08 PM CST, 6 hours 19 minutes before
HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1208 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

MNZ076-077-082>085-091>093-041815-
LE SUEUR-RICE-WATONWAN-BLUE EARTH-WASECA-STEELE-MARTIN-FARIBAULT-
FREEBORN-
1208 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTH CENTRAL
MINNESOTA.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

NORTHWEST WINDS OF 25 TO 30 MPH...WITH GUSTS NEAR 40 MPH...WILL
LEAD TO AREAS OF BLOWING SNOW LATE THIS AFTERNOON INTO SUNDAY
MORNING...MAINLY IN THE OPEN AREAS OF SOUTH CENTRAL MINNESOTA.
THIS IS DUE TO THE COMBINATION OF WIND AND 1-2 INCHES OF SNOW
EXPECTED THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING. VERY COLD AIR ARRIVES TONIGHT
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING... WITH WIND CHILLS FALLING BACK INTO THE
25 TO 35 BELOW ZERO RANGE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

A POTENTIAL QUICK HITTING WINTER STORM COULD BRING A PERIOD OF
MODERATE OR HEAVY SNOW ACROSS WESTERN MINNESOTA BEGINNING MONDAY
AFTERNOON...SPREADING EAST THROUGH SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BY MONDAY
EVENING. SEVERAL INCHES ARE POSSIBLE BEFORE SNOW TAPERS OFF
MONDAY NIGHT.

ANOTHER BLAST OF ARCTIC AIR WILL FOLLOW THE STORM FOR MIDWEEK
WITH WIND CHILLS DROPPING INTO THE 30 TO 40 BELOW RANGE TUESDAY
NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>075-078-WIZ014>016-023>028-041815-
DOUGLAS-TODD-MORRISON-MILLE LACS-KANABEC-STEVENS-POPE-STEARNS-
BENTON-SHERBURNE-ISANTI-CHISAGO-LAC QUI PARLE-SWIFT-CHIPPEWA-
KANDIYOHI-MEEKER-WRIGHT-HENNEPIN-ANOKA-RAMSEY-WASHINGTON-
YELLOW MEDICINE-RENVILLE-MCLEOD-SIBLEY-CARVER-SCOTT-DAKOTA-
REDWOOD-BROWN-NICOLLET-GOODHUE-POLK-BARRON-RUSK-ST. CROIX-PIERCE-
DUNN-PEPIN-EAU CLAIRE-
1208 PM CST SAT JAN 3 2015

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA... AND WEST CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...THIS AFTERNOON AND TONIGHT

LIGHT SNOW IS LIKELY LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS
PORTIONS OF MINNESOTA...AND EARLY TONIGHT ACROSS WESTERN
WISCONSIN. VERY COLD AIR ARRIVES TONIGHT THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...
WITH WIND CHILLS FALLING BACK INTO THE 25 TO 35 BELOW ZERO RANGE.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...SUNDAY THROUGH FRIDAY

A POTENTIAL QUICK HITTING WINTER STORM COULD BRING A PERIOD OF
MODERATE OR HEAVY SNOW ACROSS WESTERN MINNESOTA BEGINNING MONDAY
AFTERNOON...SPREADING EAST THROUGH SOUTHERN MINNESOTA BY MONDAY
EVENING. SEVERAL INCHES ARE POSSIBLE BEFORE SNOW TAPERS OFF
MONDAY NIGHT.

ANOTHER BLAST OF ARCTIC AIR WILL FOLLOW THE STORM FOR MIDWEEK
WITH WIND CHILLS DROPPING INTO THE 30 TO 40 BELOW RANGE TUESDAY
NIGHT AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN SPOTTER ACTIVATION WILL NOT BE NEEDED.

The office that day

Everything else NWS Twin Cities, MN issued on the same UTC day.

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Jan 3, 6:27 PM CSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMPXBlue Earth, Faribault, Martin, Watonwan23 days
Jan 4, 3:58 AM CSTWind Chill WarningMPXBenton, Chisago, Douglas, Isanti, Kanabec, Mille Lacs and 2 more26 hr
Jan 4, 3:16 PM CSTWinter Storm WarningMPXFaribault, Martin, Watonwan30 hr

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Minnesota, 2015Every blizzard warning in 2015

Sources

The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.