Alert archive / Minnesota / Winter Storm Watches in 2021

Winter Storm Watch 4, NWS Twin Cities, MN

February 27, 20216 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this winter storm watch at Feb 27, 2021, 3:54 AM CST for 6 counties in Minnesota. It took effect at Feb 27, 2021, 6:00 PM CST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Feb 27, 2021, 3:54 AM CST (09:54 UTC)
In effect from
Feb 27, 2021, 6:00 PM CST
Expired
Feb 27, 2021, 3:05 PM CST
In force
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Blue Earth County, MN, Brown County, MN, Martin County, MN, Nicollet County, MN, Redwood County, MN, Watonwan County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 115 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:56 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, 9.9 hours before the alert went out and 113 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 2021-02-27Temperature 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 2021-02-27The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 168 square meters per square second.1939587897117136Sfc1 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
951 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
60 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
168 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
240 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

884 
WWUS43 KMPX 270954
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
354 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...ACCUMULATING SNOW EXPECTED OVERNIGHT...

.A quick moving but complex winter system will impact the area 
beginning this evening through Sunday morning. A band of snow 
will set up from southwestern Minnesota up through northwest 
Wisconsin as a surface low deepens across Iowa. Snowfall totals
generally look to be in the 2 to 4 inch range with amounts quickly
tapering off on either side of the band. A narrow corridor of 
of 5 to 7 inches with isolated higher amounts appears most likely
from near Sioux Falls to Mankato. Southern Minnesota may see more
of a wintry mix at times, but little to no ice accumulation is
expected. Precipitation will come to an end Sunday morning.

MNZ064>067-076-077-084-085-092-271800-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0000Z-210228T1200Z/
Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Le Sueur-Rice-Waseca-
Steele-Faribault-
Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, Hutchinson, 
Gaylord, Le Sueur, Faribault, Waseca, Owatonna, and Blue Earth
354 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO
6 AM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches.
  Locally higher amounts possible.

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

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour are
  possible.

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.

&&

$$

MNZ059>063-068>070-078-271800-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0300Z-210228T1500Z/
Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Goodhue-
Including the cities of Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul,
Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, 
and Red Wing
354 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
9 AM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches.
  Locally higher amounts possible.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central and southeast 
  Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow may initially mix with rain before
  becoming all snow. Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour are 
  possible.

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.

&&

$$

MNZ053-WIZ014>016-023>025-027-271800-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0600Z-210228T1800Z/
Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Chippewa-
Including the cities of Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, 
Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls
354 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
NOON CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 
  inches.

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

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon CST Sunday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snow may initially mix with rain before
  becoming all snow. Snowfall rates of 1 inch per hour are 
  possible.

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.

&&

$$

MNZ073>075-082-083-091-271800-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.A.0004.210228T0000Z-210228T1200Z/
Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Martin-
Including the cities of Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, 
St James, Mankato, and Fairmont
354 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH LATE
TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7
  inches possible. Locally higher amounts possible.

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

* WHEN...From this evening through late tonight.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Snowfall rates of over 1 inch per hour are
  possible.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
2 follow-up statements
552 
WWUS43 KMPX 271641
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1041 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...ACCUMULATING SNOW EXPECTED OVERNIGHT...

.A quick moving but complex winter system will impact the area
beginning this evening through Sunday morning. A band of snow
will set up from southwestern Minnesota up through northwest
Wisconsin as a surface low deepens across Iowa. Snowfall totals
generally look to be in the 2 to 4 inch range with amounts
quickly tapering off on either side of the band. A narrow
corridor of of 5 to 7 inches with isolated higher amounts appears
most likely from near Sioux Falls to Mankato. South central
Minnesota may see more of a wintry mix at times, but little to no
ice accumulation is expected. Precipitation will come to an end 
Sunday morning.

MNZ064>067-076-077-084-085-092-272245-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0000Z-210228T1200Z/
Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Le Sueur-Rice-Waseca-
Steele-Faribault-
Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, Hutchinson, 
Gaylord, Le Sueur, Faribault, Waseca, Owatonna, and Blue Earth
1041 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS
EVENING TO 6 AM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 
  inches. Locally higher amounts possible.

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

* WHEN...From 6 PM this evening to 6 AM CST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ059>063-068>070-078-272245-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0300Z-210228T1500Z/
Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Goodhue-
Including the cities of Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul,
Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, 
and Red Wing
1041 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS
EVENING TO 9 AM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 
  inches. Locally higher amounts possible.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central and southeast 
  Minnesota.

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 9 AM CST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ053-WIZ014>016-023>025-027-272245-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0600Z-210228T1800Z/
Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Chippewa-
Including the cities of Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, 
Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls
1041 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT
TONIGHT TO NOON CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 
  inches.

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

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon CST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ073>075-082-083-091-272245-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0004.210228T0000Z-210228T1200Z/
Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Martin-
Including the cities of Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, 
St James, Mankato, and Fairmont
1041 AM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING THROUGH LATE TONIGHT...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 7 
  inches possible. Locally higher amounts possible.

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

* WHEN...From this evening through late tonight.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
876 
WWUS43 KMPX 272105
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
305 PM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...ACCUMULATING SNOW EXPECTED OVERNIGHT...

.A quick moving system will impact the area beginning this 
evening through Sunday morning. A band of snow will set up from 
southwestern Minnesota up through northwest Wisconsin as a surface
low deepens across Iowa. Snowfall totals generally look to be in 
the 3 to 5 inch range with amounts quickly tapering off on either
side of the band. A narrow corridor of of 5 to 7 inches with 
isolated higher amounts appears most likely from near Marshall to
Mankato. South central Minnesota may see more of a wintry mix at 
times, but little to no ice accumulation is expected. Precipitation
will come to an end Sunday morning.

MNZ073>075-082-083-091-280515-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0004.210228T0000Z-210228T1200Z/
/O.EXB.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0300Z-210228T1400Z/
Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Martin-
Including the cities of Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, 
St James, Mankato, and Fairmont
305 PM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO
8 AM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 
  inches.

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

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 8 AM CST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

WIZ026-028-280515-
/O.EXA.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0600Z-210228T1800Z/
Pepin-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Durand and Eau Claire
305 PM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
NOON CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4
  inches.

* WHERE...Pepin and Eau Claire Counties.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon CST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ064>067-076-077-084-085-092-280515-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0300Z-210228T1400Z/
Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Le Sueur-Rice-Waseca-
Steele-Faribault-
Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, Hutchinson, 
Gaylord, Le Sueur, Faribault, Waseca, Owatonna, and Blue Earth
305 PM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING
TO 8 AM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 
  inches.

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

* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 8 AM CST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ059>063-068>070-078-280515-
/O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0600Z-210228T1600Z/
Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Goodhue-
Including the cities of Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul,
Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, 
and Red Wing
305 PM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO
10 AM CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 5 
  inches.

* WHERE...Portions of central, east central and southeast 
  Minnesota.

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to 10 AM CST Sunday.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ053-WIZ014>016-023>025-027-280515-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0007.210228T0600Z-210228T1800Z/
Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Chippewa-
Including the cities of Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, 
Ladysmith, Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, and Chippewa Falls
305 PM CST Sat Feb 27 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM MIDNIGHT
TONIGHT TO NOON CST SUNDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 
  inches.

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

* WHEN...From midnight tonight to noon CST Sunday.

* 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
Feb 27, 3:54 AM CSTWinter Weather AdvisoryMPXAnoka, Benton, Blue Earth, Brown, Carver, Chippewa and 28 more32 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Watches in Minnesota, 2021Every winter storm watch 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.