Alert archive / Minnesota / Blizzard Warnings in 2022

Blizzard Warning 2, NWS Twin Cities, MN

February 18, 20226 counties in Minnesota

NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this blizzard warning at Feb 18, 2022, 12:34 PM CST for 6 counties in Minnesota. It was in force for 8 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
Feb 18, 2022, 12:34 PM CST (18:34 UTC)
Expired
Feb 18, 2022, 8:33 PM CST
In force
8 hr
Issued by
NWS Twin Cities, MN

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

The radar

The Minneapolis radar (KMPX), 160 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 18:38 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, 6.6 hours before the alert went out and 158 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 2022-02-18Temperature 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 2022-02-18The wind through the lowest 10 kilometers. Zero to 1 km storm-relative helicity 817 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
1436 m above ground
0-6 km bulk shear
56 kt
0-1 km storm-relative helicity
817 m²/s²
0-3 km storm-relative helicity
877 m²/s²
Significant tornado parameter
0.0
Supercell composite
0.0

Open this sounding in Storm Lab

The text

As transmitted.

288 
WWUS43 KMPX 181834
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
1234 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

MNZ041>043-047>049-190300-
/O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.BZ.W.0002.220218T1834Z-220219T0300Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, 
Morris, Glenwood, and St Cloud
1234 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions reducing visibility to one quarter
  mile or less in blowing snow. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

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

* WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce
  visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening
  commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle. 

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.

&&

$$

MNZ044-045-050>053-055-057>063-066>070-075>078-083>085-091>093-
WIZ014>016-023>028-190300-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Swift-
Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-McLeod-
Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-
Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-Polk-Barron-
Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Princeton, Mora, Sauk Rapids, Elk River, 
Cambridge, Center City, Benson, Willmar, Litchfield, Monticello, 
Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater, Hutchinson, Gaylord, 
Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, St Peter, 
Le Sueur, Faribault, Red Wing, Mankato, Waseca, Owatonna, 
Fairmont, Blue Earth, Albert Lea, Osceola, Rice Lake, Ladysmith, 
Hudson, River Falls, Menomonie, Durand, Chippewa Falls, 
and Eau Claire
1234 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow showers expected. Total snow accumulations of up to
  one inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Considerable reduced
  visibilities in the snow showers where brief whiteout 
  conditions are possible. 

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

* WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions as dropping
  temperatures with falling snow could result in flash freezing on
  roads. Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The 
  hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute. Gusty 
  winds could bring down tree branches. 

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
506 
WWUS43 KMPX 182050
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
250 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

MNZ051-055-057>063-066>070-075>078-083>085-091>093-WIZ023-024-026-
182200-
/O.CAN.KMPX.WW.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
Sherburne-Swift-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-
Washington-McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota-Nicollet-Le Sueur-
Rice-Goodhue-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-
St. Croix-Pierce-Pepin-
Including the cities of Elk River, Benson, Willmar, Litchfield, 
Monticello, Minneapolis, Blaine, St Paul, Stillwater, Hutchinson,
Gaylord, Chanhassen, Chaska, Victoria, Shakopee, Hastings, 
St Peter, Le Sueur, Faribault, Red Wing, Mankato, Waseca, 
Owatonna, Fairmont, Blue Earth, Albert Lea, Hudson, River Falls, 
and Durand
250 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED FOR MUCH OF SOUTHERN
MINNESOTA AND FAR WESTERN WISCONSIN...

Between the precipitation mixing with or changing over to rain for
some areas and the precipitation ending altogether for other areas,
the hazard of limited visibility due to winter precipitation has 
appreciably lessened. Therefore, the winter weather advisory has 
been cancelled. There may still be some lingering intermittent 
snow showers through late this afternoon but none is expected to 
significantly reduce visibility. Strong winds will persist through
tonight.

$$

MNZ041>043-047>049-190300-
/O.CON.KMPX.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, 
Morris, Glenwood, and St Cloud
250 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Blizzard conditions reducing visibility to one quarter
  mile or less in blowing snow. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.

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

* WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions as dropping
  temperatures with falling snow could result in flash freezing on
  roads. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce
  visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the evening
  commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must
travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded,
stay with your vehicle. 

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.

&&

$$

MNZ044-045-050-052-053-WIZ014>016-025-027-028-190300-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton-Isanti-Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-Dunn-
Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Princeton, Mora, Sauk Rapids, Cambridge, 
Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, Ladysmith, Menomonie, 
Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
250 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow showers expected. Total snow accumulations of up to
  one inch. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph. Considerable reduced
  visibilities in the snow showers where brief whiteout 
  conditions are possible. 

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

* WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions as dropping
  temperatures with falling snow could result in flash freezing on
  roads. Blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The
  hazardous conditions could impact the evening commute. Gusty
  winds could bring down tree branches. 

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.

&&

$$
740 
WWUS43 KMPX 190233
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
833 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

MNZ041>043-048-049-191045-
/O.CAN.KMPX.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WC.Y.0018.220219T0233Z-220219T1500Z/
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Pope-Stearns-
Including the cities of Alexandria, Long Prairie, Little Falls, 
Glenwood, and St Cloud
833 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST SATURDAY...
...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills. Wind chills as low as 30 below 
  zero.

* WHERE...Douglas, Todd, Morrison, Pope and Stearns Counties.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM CST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on 
  exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Gusty winds of 35 to 40 mph may still 
  produce areas of blowing snow through late evening. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves. 

&&

$$

MNZ047-190345-
/O.CAN.KMPX.BZ.W.0002.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
Stevens-
Including the city of Morris
833 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...BLIZZARD WARNING IS CANCELLED...

Winds have eased and visibilities are improving, therefore the
Blizzard Warning is cancelled.

$$

MNZ044-045-050-052-053-WIZ014>016-025-027-028-191045-
/O.CAN.KMPX.WW.Y.0011.000000T0000Z-220219T0300Z/
/O.NEW.KMPX.WC.Y.0018.220219T0233Z-220219T1500Z/
Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton-Isanti-Chisago-Polk-Barron-Rusk-Dunn-
Chippewa-Eau Claire-
Including the cities of Princeton, Mora, Sauk Rapids, Cambridge, 
Center City, Osceola, Rice Lake, Ladysmith, Menomonie, 
Chippewa Falls, and Eau Claire
833 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST SATURDAY...
...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS CANCELLED...

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills. Wind chills as low as 25 below 
  zero.

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

* WHEN...Until 9 AM CST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on 
  exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Gusty winds of 35 to 40 mph may still
  produce patchy blowing snow through late evening. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves. 

&&

$$

MNZ051-WIZ023-191045-
/O.NEW.KMPX.WC.Y.0018.220219T0233Z-220219T1500Z/
Sherburne-St. Croix-
Including the cities of Elk River and Hudson
833 PM CST Fri Feb 18 2022

...WIND CHILL ADVISORY IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 AM CST SATURDAY...

* WHAT...Very cold wind chills. Wind chills as low as 25 below 
  zero.

* WHERE...In Wisconsin, St. Croix County. In Minnesota, 
  Sherburne County.

* WHEN...Until 9 AM CST Saturday.

* IMPACTS...The cold wind chills could cause frostbite on 
  exposed skin in as little as 30 minutes.

* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Gusty winds of 35 to 40 mph may still 
  produce areas of blowing snow through late evening. 

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Use caution while traveling outside. Wear appropriate clothing, a
hat, and gloves. 

&&

$$

Borghoff

The office that day

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

IssuedProductOfficeCountiesLasted
Feb 18, 11:59 AM CSTSpecial Weather StatementMPXDakota, Rice, Scott16 min

Nearby

Blizzard Warnings in Minnesota, 2022Every blizzard warning in 2022

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.