Alert archive / Minnesota / Winter Storm Warnings in 2020

Winter Storm Warning 5, NWS Twin Cities, MN

October 20, 202014 counties in Minnesota; 5 counties in Wisconsin

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this winter storm warning at Oct 20, 2020, 11:53 AM CDT for 14 counties in Minnesota; 5 counties in Wisconsin. It was in force for 13 hr. 60 reports came from inside the area while it was in force.

The area

The counties it named, with what was reported inside it.

The facts

Issued
Oct 20, 2020, 11:53 AM CDT (16:53 UTC)
Expired
Oct 21, 2020, 1:00 AM CDT
In force
13 hr
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Anoka County, MN, Carver County, MN, Chippewa County, MN, Dakota County, MN, Hennepin County, MN, Kandiyohi County, MN, McLeod County, MN, Meeker County, MN, Ramsey County, MN, Renville County, MN, Scott County, MN, Sibley County, MN, Washington County, MN, Wright County, MN, Chippewa County, WI, Dunn County, WI, Eau Claire County, WI, Pierce County, WI, Saint Croix County, WI

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 14 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 16:52 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.

What was reported inside it

TimeReportWhereRemark
Oct 20, 1:00 PM CDTSNOW 1.1Minneapolis St. Paul Ai, MN
Oct 20, 1:00 PM CDTSNOW 1.51 Wsw Otsego, MN
Oct 20, 1:00 PM CDTSNOW 1.7Chanhassen Nws, MN
Oct 20, 1:00 PM CDTSNOW 2.11 Wsw Victoria, MN
Oct 20, 1:05 PM CDTSNOW 71 Nnw Chanhassen, MNCOCORAHS STATION MN-CV-39 CHANHASSEN 1.7 NE.
Oct 20, 1:07 PM CDTSNOW 2Lakeville, MN
Oct 20, 2:10 PM CDTSNOW 3.12 Ene Bloomington, MN
Oct 20, 2:10 PM CDTSNOW 3.5Buffalo, MN
Oct 20, 2:25 PM CDTSNOW 4.83 Nw Prior Lake, MN
Oct 20, 2:29 PM CDTSNOW 3.8Eden Prairie, MN
Oct 20, 2:30 PM CDTSNOW 3.6Victoria, MN
Oct 20, 2:42 PM CDTSNOW 3.5Plymouth, MN
Oct 20, 2:45 PM CDTSNOW 3.52 Se Corcoran, MN
Oct 20, 2:52 PM CDTSNOW 6.5Delano, MN
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 3Mahtomedi, MN
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 3.41 Nnw Roseville, MN
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 3.4Eagan, MN
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 41 Nw Mounds View, MNVIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER.
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 4.32 Ese Eden Prairie, MNMEASUREMENT WITH PHOTO SENT VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER.
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 4.82 Nne Lakeville, MN
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 5.8Lakeville, MN
Oct 20, 3:00 PM CDTSNOW 6Clara City, MN
Oct 20, 3:05 PM CDTSNOW 4.1New Hope, MN
Oct 20, 3:05 PM CDTSNOW 4.5Buffalo, MNCORRECTS PREVIOUS SNOW REPORT FROM BUFFALO.
Oct 20, 3:10 PM CDTSNOW 43 N Apple Valley, MN
Oct 20, 3:10 PM CDTSNOW 5.8Olivia, MN
Oct 20, 3:15 PM CDTSNOW 3.41 Nnw Rosemount, MN
Oct 20, 3:17 PM CDTSNOW 2.51 Sw Spring Valley, WI
Oct 20, 3:30 PM CDTSNOW 4.7Lakeville, MN
Oct 20, 3:40 PM CDTSNOW 4.4Farmington, MN
Oct 20, 3:45 PM CDTSNOW 5.2Eden Prairie, MNUPDATES PREVIOUS SNOW REPORT FROM EDEN PRAIRIE.
Oct 20, 3:55 PM CDTSNOW 5.2Bloomington, MN
Oct 20, 4:00 PM CDTSNOW 3.5Maple Plain, MN
Oct 20, 4:00 PM CDTSNOW 5Hastings, MN
Oct 20, 4:00 PM CDTSNOW 5Watertown, MNSENT VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER.
Oct 20, 4:00 PM CDTSNOW 5.1Maplewood, MN
Oct 20, 4:00 PM CDTSNOW 6Elko New Market, MN
Oct 20, 4:05 PM CDTSNOW 4.42 W Hastings, MN
Oct 20, 4:12 PM CDTSNOW 5.3Robbinsdale, MNFACEBOOK COMMENT WITH PHOTO MEASUREMENT.
Oct 20, 4:15 PM CDTSNOW 4.93 S Minnetonka, MN
Oct 20, 4:15 PM CDTSNOW 5.3Buffalo, MNUPDATES PREVIOUS SNOW REPORT FROM BUFFALO.
Oct 20, 4:15 PM CDTSNOW 6.8Burnsville, MN
Oct 20, 4:15 PM CDTSNOW 76 N Henderson, MN
Oct 20, 4:15 PM CDTSNOW 7.32 Wnw Prior Lake, MN
Oct 20, 4:20 PM CDTSNOW 4.8Crystal, MN
Oct 20, 4:20 PM CDTSNOW 4.9Little Canada, MN
Oct 20, 4:22 PM CDTSNOW 5.2Bloomington, MN
Oct 20, 4:23 PM CDTSNOW 7.5Lakeville, MNFACEBOOK COMMENT WITH PHOTO MEASUREMENT.
Oct 20, 4:25 PM CDTSNOW 4.2Champlin, MN
Oct 20, 4:30 PM CDTSNOW 5Golden Valley, MN
Oct 20, 4:38 PM CDTSNOW 5.52 Se Corcoran, MNREPORTED AT BROCKTON LANE AND FIELDSTONE DR MAPLE GROVE.
Oct 20, 4:40 PM CDTSNOW 52 Se Otsego, MN
Oct 20, 4:45 PM CDTSNOW 5New Richmond, WI
Oct 20, 4:45 PM CDTSNOW 6Waconia, MN
Oct 20, 4:45 PM CDTSNOW 6.13 Sse Maple Grove, MNREPORTED AT INTERSTATE 494 AND BASS LAKE ROAD MAPLE GROVE.
Oct 20, 4:45 PM CDTSNOW 6.6Edina, MN
Oct 20, 4:50 PM CDTSNOW 7Victoria, MNUPDATES PREVIOUS SNOW REPORT FROM VICTORIA.
Oct 20, 4:57 PM CDTSNOW 7.51 Sw Shakopee, MN
Oct 20, 5:00 PM CDTSNOW 6Buffalo, MNMEASUREMENT WITH PHOTO VIA FACEBOOK MESSENGER.
Oct 20, 5:00 PM CDTSNOW 6Chaska, MN

Local storm reports filed while the alert was in force, from inside its polygon or its counties.

The nearest sounding before it

Minneapolis, MN (KMPX), launched 12:00Z, 4.9 hours before the alert went out and 17 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 12:00Z on 2020-10-20Temperature 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 12:00Z on 2020-10-20The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 73 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
870 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
75 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
73 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
242 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

931 
WWUS43 KMPX 201653
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1153 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED FOR AFTERNOON AND EVENING COMMUTE...

.A Winter Storm Warning is now in effect for areas along and near
the US-12 corridor, from Montevideo and Granite falls east to the
Twin Cities in Minnesota, over to Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls 
in Wisconsin. A winter weather advisory remains in effect for
regions north and south of the warning. 

Snow will continue to overspread much of the area today, with
snowfall rates between 1 and 2 inches per hour expected through
much of the afternoon. Widespread snowfall amounts of 3 to 6 
inches is expected, with locally higher amounts are possible 
within the warning area. The afternoon commute will be impacted, 
so plan for additional travel time. Mixed precipitation, including
freezing drizzle, is possible toward the end of the event this 
evening, and near I-90 where a mixture with rain is more likely.

MNZ059>063-068>070-WIZ023-024-210100-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-201021T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0005.201020T1653Z-201021T0300Z/
Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
St. Croix-Pierce-
Including the cities of Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul,
Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, 
Hudson, and River Falls
1153 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with
  locally higher amounts.

* WHERE...Portions of west central Wisconsin and central and 
  east central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...As precipitation is ending, it may briefly
  change over to freezing drizzle, though minimal ice
  accumulations are expected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

MNZ056>058-065>067-210000-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-201021T0000Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0005.201020T1653Z-201021T0000Z/
Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-
Including the cities of Montevideo, Willmar, Litchfield, Olivia, 
Hutchinson, and Gaylord
1153 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with 
  locally higher amounts.

* WHERE...Portions of central and west central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...As precipitation is ending, it may briefly
  change over to freezing drizzle, though minimal ice
  accumulations are expected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

WIZ025-027-028-210100-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.201020T1800Z-201021T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0005.201020T1653Z-201021T0600Z/
Dunn-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
1153 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Snow accumulations of 4 to 6 inches, with 
  locally higher amounts.

* WHERE...Dunn, Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...As precipitation is ending, it may briefly
  change over to freezing drizzle, though minimal ice
  accumulations are expected.


PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

WIZ014>016-210100-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.201020T1653Z-201021T0600Z/
Polk-Barron-Rusk-
Including the cities of Osceola, Rice Lake, and Ladysmith
1153 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations of 4 to 6
  inches.

* WHERE...Rusk, Barron and Polk Counties.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

MNZ041-042-047>049-054-055-064-073>075-082-083-210000-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-201021T0000Z/
Douglas-Todd-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Yellow Medicine-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Morris, 
Glenwood, St Cloud, Madison, Benson, Granite Falls, 
Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, St James, and Mankato
1153 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 7 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches.

* WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest and west 
  central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 7 PM CDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...As precipitation is ending, it may briefly
  change over to freezing drizzle, though minimal ice
  accumulations are expected.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

MNZ043>045-050>053-076>078-084-085-WIZ026-210100-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-201021T0300Z/
Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-
Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Waseca-Steele-Pepin-
Including the cities of Little Falls, Princeton, Mora, 
Sauk Rapids, Elk River, Cambridge, Center City, Le Sueur, 
Faribault, Red Wing, Waseca, Owatonna, and Durand
1153 AM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow. Snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches.

* WHERE...Portions of west central Wisconsin and central, east 
  central, south central and southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
896 
WWUS43 KMPX 210112
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
812 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...SNOW ENDING OVER NIGHT...

.A Winter Storm Warning will continue in east central Minnesota
and, over to Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls in Wisconsin. A winter
weather advisory remains in effect for regions north and south of
the warning.

Snow will gradually end from west to east this evening. Mixed 
precipitation, including freezing drizzle, is occurring as the 
snow ends, and this could lead to slick roads continuing 
overnight. 

MNZ059>063-068>070-WIZ023-024-210300-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-201021T0300Z/
Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
St. Croix-Pierce-
Including the cities of Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul,
Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, 
Hudson, and River Falls
812 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow ending. Snow accumulations of 4 to 7 inches, with 
  locally higher amounts.

* WHERE...Portions of west central Wisconsin and central and 
  east central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

WIZ025-027-028-210600-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-201021T0600Z/
Dunn-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
812 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow continuing with snow accumulations of 4 to 7 
  inches, with locally higher amounts.

* WHERE...Dunn, Chippewa and Eau Claire Counties.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in
your vehicle in case of an emergency. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

MNZ043>045-050>053-076>078-084-085-WIZ026-210300-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-201021T0300Z/
Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-
Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Waseca-Steele-Pepin-
Including the cities of Little Falls, Princeton, Mora, 
Sauk Rapids, Elk River, Cambridge, Center City, Le Sueur, 
Faribault, Red Wing, Waseca, Owatonna, and Durand
812 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM CDT THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow gradually ending. Snow accumulations of 3 to 5 
  inches.

* WHERE...Portions of west central Wisconsin and central, east 
  central, south central and southeast Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 10 PM CDT this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

WIZ014>016-210600-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-201021T0600Z/
Polk-Barron-Rusk-
Including the cities of Osceola, Rice Lake, and Ladysmith
812 PM CDT Tue Oct 20 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1 AM CDT
WEDNESDAY...

* WHAT...Snow continuing with total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 
  inches.

* WHERE...Rusk, Barron and Polk Counties.

* WHEN...Until 1 AM CDT Wednesday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. 

The latest road conditions for the state you are calling from can
be obtained by calling 5 1 1.

&&

$$

jrb
570 
WWUS43 KMPX 210624
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
124 AM CDT Wed Oct 21 2020

WIZ025-027-028-210730-
/O.EXP.KMPX.WS.W.0005.000000T0000Z-201021T0600Z/
Dunn-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Menomonie, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
124 AM CDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...WINTER STORM WARNING HAS EXPIRED...

$$

WIZ014>016-210730-
/O.EXP.KMPX.WW.Y.0015.000000T0000Z-201021T0600Z/
Polk-Barron-Rusk-
Including the cities of Osceola, Rice Lake, and Ladysmith
124 AM CDT Wed Oct 21 2020

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY HAS EXPIRED...

$$

Borghoff

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Minnesota, 2020Winter Storm Warnings in Wisconsin, 2020Every winter storm warning in 2020

Sources

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