Alert archive / Minnesota / Winter Storm Watches in 2021

Winter Storm Watch 5, NWS Twin Cities, MN

March 13, 202114 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this winter storm watch at Mar 13, 2021, 3:22 AM CST for 14 counties in Minnesota. It took effect at Mar 15, 2021, 1:00 AM CDT. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Mar 13, 2021, 3:22 AM CST (09:22 UTC)
In effect from
Mar 15, 2021, 1:00 AM CDT
Expired
Mar 14, 2021, 3:28 AM CDT
In force
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Blue Earth County, MN, Brown County, MN, Faribault County, MN, Freeborn County, MN, Le Sueur County, MN, Martin County, MN, Nicollet County, MN, Redwood County, MN, Renville County, MN, Sibley County, MN, Steele County, MN, Waseca County, MN, Watonwan County, MN, Yellow Medicine County, MN

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 95 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:25 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, 9.4 hours before the alert went out and 94 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 2021-03-13Temperature 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 2021-03-13The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 33 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
1554 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
62 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
33 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
82 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

487 
WWUS43 KMPX 130922
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
322 AM CST Sat Mar 13 2021

...HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA LATE SUNDAY NIGHT
INTO MONDAY...

.A Winter Storm Watch is in effect late Sunday night through early
Monday afternoon south of a line from Canby, to Olivia, Gaylord,
Le Center, and Owatonna.

A band of precipitation will lift northeast into southern
Minnesota late Sunday night, quickly becoming all snow. The snow
will be heavy at times through Monday morning, then taper off
during the afternoon. Total accumulation of 5 to 8 inches are
possible.

MNZ064-065-067-073>076-082>085-091>093-132100-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.A.0005.210315T0600Z-210315T2100Z/
Yellow Medicine-Renville-Sibley-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-
Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-
Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, Gaylord, 
Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, St James, Mankato, 
Waseca, Owatonna, Fairmont, Blue Earth, and Albert Lea
322 AM CST Sat Mar 13 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT THROUGH
MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 
  inches possible.

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

* WHEN...From late Sunday night through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

Borghoff
3 follow-up statements
848 
WWUS43 KMPX 131947
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
147 PM CST Sat Mar 13 2021

...CONFIDENCE INCREASING IN HEAVY SNOW POTENTIAL ACROSS SOUTHERN 
MINNESOTA LATE SUNDAY NIGHT INTO MONDAY...

.A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect late Sunday night through
early Monday afternoon south of a line from Canby, to Olivia, 
Gaylord, Le Center, and Owatonna.

A band of precipitation will lift northeast into southern
Minnesota late Sunday night, quickly becoming all snow. This will
be a heavy, wet snow, with rates of over an inch per hour
possible. The snow will taper off during the late morning into
early afternoon. Total accumulation of 5 to 8 inches are 
possible, with the highest amounts expected near I-90.

MNZ064-065-067-073>076-082>085-091>093-140400-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0005.210315T0600Z-210315T2100Z/
Yellow Medicine-Renville-Sibley-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-
Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-
Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, Gaylord, 
Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, St James, Mankato, 
Waseca, Owatonna, Fairmont, Blue Earth, and Albert Lea
147 PM CST Sat Mar 13 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 
  inches possible.

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

* WHEN...From late Sunday night through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult, including I-90. The 
  hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

jrb
376 
WWUS43 KMPX 140324
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
924 PM CST Sat Mar 13 2021

...HEAVY SNOW POSSIBLE ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA LATE SUNDAY 
NIGHT INTO MONDAY...

.A Winter Storm Watch remains in effect late Sunday night through
early Monday afternoon south of a line from Canby, to Olivia,
Gaylord, Le Center, and Owatonna.

A band of precipitation will lift northeast into southern
Minnesota late Sunday night, quickly becoming all snow. This will
be a heavy, wet snow, with rates of over an inch per hour
possible. The snow will taper off during the late morning into
early afternoon on Monday. Total accumulation of 5 to 8 inches 
is possible, with the highest amounts expected near I-90.

MNZ064-065-067-073>076-082>085-091>093-141200-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0005.210315T0600Z-210315T2100Z/
Yellow Medicine-Renville-Sibley-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-
Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-
Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, Gaylord, 
Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St Peter, Le Sueur, St James, Mankato, 
Waseca, Owatonna, Fairmont, Blue Earth, and Albert Lea
924 PM CST Sat Mar 13 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM LATE SUNDAY NIGHT
THROUGH MONDAY AFTERNOON...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 
  inches possible.

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

* WHEN...From late Sunday night through Monday afternoon.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow 
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous 
  conditions could impact the morning or evening commute.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
568 
WWUS43 KMPX 140828
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
328 AM CDT Sun Mar 14 2021

...HEAVY SNOW ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA LATE TONIGHT INTO 
MONDAY...

.A Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 1 AM tonight to 4 PM CDT
Monday for areas south of a line from Redwood Falls to Mankato and
Waseca. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for the rest of 
southern Minnesota from 4 AM to 4 PM CDT Monday.

A band of precipitation will lift northeast into southern
Minnesota late tonight, quickly becoming all snow. This will be a
heavy, wet snow with rates of over an inch per hour possible. The
snow will taper off during the late morning into early afternoon 
on Monday. Total accumulations of 5 to 8 inches are expected in 
the warning area with 3 to 5 inches expected in the advisory area.

MNZ073-074-082>084-091>093-142000-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0005.210315T0600Z-210315T2100Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0004.210315T0600Z-210315T2100Z/
Redwood-Brown-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Martin-Faribault-
Freeborn-
Including the cities of Redwood Falls, New Ulm, St James, 
Mankato, Waseca, Fairmont, Blue Earth, and Albert Lea
328 AM CDT Sun Mar 14 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 1 AM TO 4 PM CDT MONDAY...

* WHAT...Heavy mixed precipitation expected. Total snow
  accumulations of 5 to 8 inches and ice accumulations of a light
  glaze.

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

* WHEN...From 1 AM to 4 PM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. Patchy blowing snow
  could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions
  could impact the morning and evening commutes.

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.

&&

$$

MNZ064-065-067-075-076-085-142000-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0005.210315T0600Z-210315T2100Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0009.210315T0900Z-210315T2100Z/
Yellow Medicine-Renville-Sibley-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Steele-
Including the cities of Granite Falls, Olivia, Gaylord, St Peter,
Le Sueur, and Owatonna
328 AM CDT Sun Mar 14 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 4 PM CDT
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of
  2 to 5 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze.

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

* WHEN...From 4 AM to 4 PM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes.

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.

&&

$$

MNZ054-056-142000-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0009.210315T0900Z-210315T2100Z/
Lac Qui Parle-Chippewa-
Including the cities of Madison and Montevideo
328 AM CDT Sun Mar 14 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 4 AM TO 4 PM CDT
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of
  2 to 5 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze.

* WHERE...Lac Qui Parle and Chippewa Counties.

* WHEN...From 4 AM to 4 PM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes.

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.

&&

$$

MNZ077-078-142000-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0009.210315T1200Z-210315T2100Z/
Rice-Goodhue-
Including the cities of Faribault and Red Wing
328 AM CDT Sun Mar 14 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 7 AM TO 4 PM CDT
MONDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations 
  of 2 to 4 inches and ice accumulations of a light glaze.

* WHERE...Rice and Goodhue Counties.

* WHEN...From 7 AM to 4 PM CDT Monday.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
  conditions could impact the morning and evening commutes.

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.

&&

$$

Borghoff

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.