Alert archive / Minnesota / Winter Storm Warnings in 2021

Winter Storm Warning 3, NWS Twin Cities, MN

March 10, 20214 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this winter storm warning at Mar 10, 2021, 12:06 PM CST for 4 counties in Minnesota. It took effect at Mar 10, 2021, 3:00 PM CST. It was in force for 9 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
Mar 10, 2021, 12:06 PM CST (18:06 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 10, 2021, 3:00 PM CST
Expired
Mar 11, 2021, 12:00 AM CST
In force
9 hr
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Douglas County, MN, Pope County, MN, Stevens County, MN, Todd County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 181 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:05 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 12:00Z, 6.1 hours before the alert went out and 179 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 2021-03-10Temperature 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 2021-03-10The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 76 square meters per square second.1939587897Sfc1 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
946 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
44 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
76 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
219 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

852 
WWUS43 KMPX 101806
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1206 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED LATE THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING ACROSS 
PORTIONS OF CENTRAL AND WESTERN MINNESOTA...

.A Winter Storm Warning has now been issued for Stevens, Pope,
Douglas, and Todd counties in Minnesota. Heavy snow is expected to
develop here after 3 pm and last through midnight, with 5 to 7
inches of snow expected from Morris up through Alexandria and
Staples. 

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect in the counties
bordering the warning to the south and east. A very sharp drop off
in snow totals is expected to the east of the main band of snow
across the counties in the Warning, but 3 to 6 inches of snow in
the western parts of the counties in the Advisory is expected.
Snow total in excess of 3 inches are expected along and west of a
line from Madison to Benson, Melrose, and Little Falls.

MNZ041-042-047-048-110215-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0008.210310T2100Z-210311T0600Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0003.210310T2100Z-210311T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Stevens-Pope-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Morris, 
and Glenwood
1206 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Douglas, Todd, Stevens and Pope Counties.

* WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the evening commute.

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. Road conditions can also be found
at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

&&

$$

MNZ049-056-110215-
/O.EXA.KMPX.WW.Y.0008.210310T2100Z-210311T0600Z/
Stearns-Chippewa-
Including the cities of St Cloud and Montevideo
1206 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Wet snow expected. Total snow accumulations of up to
  three inches.

* WHERE...Western Stearns and Chippewa Counties.

* WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST tonight.

* 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. Road conditions can also be found
at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

&&

$$

MNZ043-054-055-110215-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0008.210310T2100Z-210311T0600Z/
Morrison-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-
Including the cities of Little Falls, Madison, and Benson
1206 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS
AFTERNOON TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Lac Qui Parle, Morrison and Swift Counties.

* WHEN...From 3 PM this afternoon to midnight CST tonight.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility. 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. Road conditions can also be found
at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
142 
WWUS43 KMPX 102306
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
506 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED THROUGH THIS EVENING ACROSS PORTIONS OF 
CENTRAL AND WESTERN MINNESOTA...

.A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Stevens, Pope, 
Douglas, and Todd counties in Minnesota until midnight. Periods 
of heavy snow are expected through midnight, with 5 to 7 inches of
snow expected from Morris up through Alexandria and Staples.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect in the counties
bordering the warning to the south and east until midnight. A 
very sharp drop off in snow totals is expected to the east of the 
main band of snow across the counties in the Warning, but 3 to 6 
inches of snow in the western parts of the counties in the 
Advisory is expected. Snow total in excess of 3 inches are 
expected along and west of a line from Madison to Benson, Melrose,
and Little Falls.

MNZ041-042-047-048-110600-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210311T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Stevens-Pope-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Morris, 
and Glenwood
506 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Douglas, Todd, Stevens and Pope Counties.

* WHEN...Until midnight CST tonight.

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

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. Road conditions can also be found
at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

&&

$$

MNZ043-049-054>056-110600-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-210311T0600Z/
Morrison-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-
Including the cities of Little Falls, St Cloud, Madison, Benson, 
and Montevideo
506 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Wet snow. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches.

* WHERE...Lac Qui Parle, Morrison, Chippewa, Swift and Stearns 
  Counties.

* WHEN...Until midnight CST tonight.

* 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. Road conditions can also be found
at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

&&

$$
628 
WWUS43 KMPX 110216
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
816 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...HEAVY SNOW EXPECTED THROUGH THIS EVENING ACROSS PORTIONS OF
CENTRAL AND WESTERN MINNESOTA...

.A Winter Storm Warning remains in effect for Stevens, Pope,
Douglas, and Todd counties in Minnesota until midnight. Periods
of heavy snow are expected through midnight, with 5 to 7 inches
of snow expected from Morris up through Alexandria and Staples.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect in the counties
bordering the warning to the south and east until midnight. A
very sharp drop off in snow totals is expected to the east of the
main band of snow across the counties in the Warning, but 3 to
6 inches of snow in the western parts of the counties in the
Advisory is expected. Snow total in excess of 3 inches are
expected along and west of a line from Madison to Benson,
Melrose, and Little Falls.

MNZ041-042-047-048-110600-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.W.0003.000000T0000Z-210311T0600Z/
Douglas-Todd-Stevens-Pope-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Morris, 
and Glenwood
816 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7 inches. 

* WHERE...Douglas, Todd, Stevens and Pope Counties.

* WHEN...Until midnight CST tonight.

* 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. Road conditions can also be found
at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

&&

$$

MNZ043-049-054>056-110600-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0008.000000T0000Z-210311T0600Z/
Morrison-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-
Including the cities of Little Falls, St Cloud, Madison, Benson, 
and Montevideo
816 PM CST Wed Mar 10 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Wet snow. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 inches.

* WHERE...Lac Qui Parle, Morrison, Chippewa, Swift and Stearns 
  Counties.

* WHEN...Until midnight CST tonight.

* 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. Road conditions can also be found
at 511mn.org for Minnesota or 511wi.gov for Wisconsin.

&&

$$

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Mar 10, 3:39 AM CSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMPXChippewa, Douglas, Lac qui Parle, Morrison, Pope, Stearns and 3 more20 hr
Mar 10, 3:40 AM CSTWind AdvisoryMPXBlue Earth, Dakota, Faribault, Freeborn, Goodhue, Le Sueur and 7 more23 hr
Mar 10, 4:03 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementMPXLe Sueur27 min
Mar 10, 4:13 PM CSTTornado WarningMPXDakota, Rice, Scott14 min
Mar 10, 4:23 PM CSTTornado WarningMPXLe Sueur, Rice, Waseca26 min
Mar 10, 4:36 PM CSTTornado WarningMPXDakota, Rice, Scott24 min
Mar 10, 4:47 PM CSTTornado WarningMPXDakota, Rice28 min
Mar 10, 4:54 PM CSTSpecial Weather StatementMPXMcLeod36 min
Mar 10, 5:15 PM CSTTornado WarningMPXDakota, Rice30 min
Mar 10, 5:27 PM CSTSevere Thunderstorm WarningMPXDakota, Ramsey, Washington29 min

Nearby

Winter Storm Warnings in Minnesota, 2021Every winter storm warning in 2021

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.