Alert archive / Minnesota / Winter Storm Watches in 2021

Winter Storm Watch 8, NWS Twin Cities, MN

December 25, 20217 counties in Minnesota; Barron County, Polk County, Rusk County, Wisconsin

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this winter storm watch at Dec 25, 2021, 3:11 AM CST for 7 counties in Minnesota; Barron County, Polk County, Rusk County, Wisconsin. It took effect at Dec 26, 2021, 12:00 PM CST. It was in force for .

The area

The counties it named.

The facts

Issued
Dec 25, 2021, 3:11 AM CST (09:11 UTC)
In effect from
Dec 26, 2021, 12:00 PM CST
Expired
Dec 26, 2021, 3:24 AM CST
In force
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

Counties Chisago County, MN, Douglas County, MN, Isanti County, MN, Kanabec County, MN, Mille Lacs County, MN, Morrison County, MN, Todd County, MN, Barron County, WI, Polk County, WI, Rusk County, WI

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 100 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 09:14 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, 9.2 hours before the alert went out and 101 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 2021-12-25Temperature 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 2021-12-25The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity -143 square meters per square second.1939587897117136156Sfc1 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
1810 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
70 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
-143 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
88 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

974 
WWUS43 KMPX 250911
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
311 AM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

MNZ041>045-251715-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, 
Princeton, and Mora
311 AM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6
  inches, with 6 to 8 inches possible.

* WHERE...Douglas, Todd, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec 
  Counties.

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

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

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wind gusts around 30 mph Monday morning
  could lead to areas of blowing and drifting snow.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
4 follow-up statements
045 
WWUS43 KMPX 251732
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1132 AM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

MNZ041>045-260145-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, 
Princeton, and Mora
1132 AM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

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

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 
  inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Douglas, Morrison, Todd, Kanabec and Mille Lacs 
  Counties.

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
962 
WWUS43 KMPX 252120
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
320 PM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

MNZ053-WIZ014>016-260530-
/O.EXB.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211227T0000Z-211227T1800Z/
Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-
Including the cities of Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, 
and Ladysmith
320 PM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 
  inches possible.

* WHERE...In Wisconsin, Polk, Barron and Rusk Counties. In 
  Minnesota, Chisago County.

* WHEN...From Sunday evening through Monday morning.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

MNZ052-260530-
/O.EXA.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
Isanti-
Including the city of Cambridge
320 PM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY AFTERNOON THROUGH
MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 
  inches possible.

* WHERE...Isanti County.

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

MNZ041>045-260530-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, 
Princeton, and Mora
320 PM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

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

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

* WHERE...Douglas, Morrison, Todd, Kanabec and Mille Lacs 
  Counties.

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$
085 
WWUS43 KMPX 260346
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
946 PM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

MNZ053-WIZ014>016-261200-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211227T0000Z-211227T1800Z/
Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-
Including the cities of Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, 
and Ladysmith
946 PM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

...WINTER STORM WATCH REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM SUNDAY EVENING
THROUGH MONDAY MORNING...

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 
  inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...In Wisconsin, Rusk, Barron and Polk Counties. In 
  Minnesota, Chisago County.

* WHEN...From Sunday evening through Monday morning.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

MNZ041>045-052-261200-
/O.CON.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Isanti-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, 
Princeton, Mora, and Cambridge
946 PM CST Sat Dec 25 2021

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

* WHAT...Heavy snow possible. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 7 
  inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 40 mph.

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

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.

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

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation. 

&&

$$

Borghoff
489 
WWUS43 KMPX 260924
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

...HEAVY SNOW AND MIXED PRECIPITATION SUNDAY AFTERNOON TO MONDAY
MORNING...

.A potent winter system is expected to move across Minnesota and
western Wisconsin Sunday afternoon into Monday morning with a
variety of different winter impacts. The heaviest snow is expected
in parts of central Minnesota with 5 to 7 inches expected. The
heaviest snow rates are expected tonight. Wind gusts could lead 
to some patchy blowing snow. Farther south snow is expected to be 
more in the 2 to 5 inch range. The final impact will be mixed 
precipitation across southern Minnesota. This mix is most likely
later in the event tonight into Monday morning. All together this
could lead to a difficult day of travel for those heading home 
after the holiday.


MNZ042>045-261730-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WS.W.0007.211227T0000Z-211227T1200Z/
Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-
Including the cities of Long Prairie, Little Falls, Princeton, 
and Mora
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

...WINTER STORM WARNING IN EFFECT FROM 6 PM THIS EVENING TO 6 AM
CST MONDAY...

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

* WHERE...Todd, Morrison, Mille Lacs and Kanabec Counties.

* WHEN...From Sunday evening to Monday morning.

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

&&

$$

MNZ041-261730-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0016.211226T2100Z-211227T1200Z/
Douglas-
Including the city of Alexandria
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
6 AM CST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

* WHERE...Douglas County.

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

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

&&

$$

MNZ053-WIZ014>016-261730-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211227T0000Z-211227T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0016.211227T0000Z-211227T1200Z/
Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-
Including the cities of Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, 
and Ladysmith
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

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

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 3 to 5 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...In Wisconsin, Polk, Barron and Rusk Counties. In 
  Minnesota, Chisago County.

* WHEN...From Sunday evening to Monday morning.

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

&&

$$

MNZ052-261730-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WS.A.0008.211226T1800Z-211227T1800Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0016.211227T0000Z-211227T1200Z/
Isanti-
Including the city of Cambridge
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

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

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 4 to 6 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

* WHERE...Isanti County.

* WHEN...From Sunday evening to Monday morning.

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

&&

$$

MNZ067-073>075-082-083-091-092-261730-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0016.211226T2100Z-211227T1200Z/
Sibley-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Martin-
Faribault-
Including the cities of Gaylord, Redwood Falls, New Ulm, 
St Peter, St James, Mankato, Fairmont, and Blue Earth
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
6 AM CST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of
  up to two inches and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an
  inch. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.

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

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ076>078-084-085-093-261730-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0016.211227T0000Z-211227T1200Z/
Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Waseca-Steele-Freeborn-
Including the cities of Le Sueur, Faribault, Red Wing, Waseca, 
Owatonna, and Albert Lea
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

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

* WHAT...Mixed precipitation expected. Total snow accumulations of
  up to two inches and ice accumulations of up to one tenth of an
  inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

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

* WHEN...From Sunday evening to Monday morning.

* 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.

&&

$$

MNZ047>049-054>058-064>066-261730-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0016.211226T2100Z-211227T1200Z/
Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-
Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-
Including the cities of Morris, Glenwood, St Cloud, Madison, 
Benson, Montevideo, Willmar, Litchfield, Granite Falls, Olivia, 
and Hutchinson
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IN EFFECT FROM 3 PM THIS AFTERNOON TO
6 AM CST MONDAY...

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

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

* WHEN...From Sunday afternoon to Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility.

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.

&&

$$

MNZ050-051-059>063-068>070-WIZ023>028-261730-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WW.Y.0016.211227T0000Z-211227T1200Z/
Benton-Sherburne-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Carver-
Scott-Dakota-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Sauk Rapids, Elk River, Monticello, 
Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater, Chanhassen, Chaska, 
Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, 
Durand, Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
324 AM CST Sun Dec 26 2021

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

* WHAT...Snow expected. Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 
  inches. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.

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

* WHEN...From Sunday evening to Monday morning.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Patchy blowing 
  snow could significantly reduce visibility.

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.

&&

$$

NDC

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Dec 24, 6:17 PM CSTDense Fog AdvisoryMPXBarron, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Rusk6 hr

Nearby

Winter Storm Watches in Minnesota, 2021Winter Storm Watches in Wisconsin, 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.