Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 2001

Name: Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 29 to 30, 2001
Start: 2001-01-29T19:00
End: 2001-01-30T07:00
Location: Minnesota

January 29 to 30, 2001 · NWS MPX · 42 events in 42 counties and zones

A powerfull storm system in western Missouri tracked north into Iowa by late in the evening on the 29th. It then headed east into central Illinois by late afternoon on the 30th.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 42 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

Tornadoes
Tropical storms and surge
Floods
Wind
Hail
Winter weather
Heat and drought
Cold
Fire, smoke and dust
Marine and coastal
Other

Open the live radar over this ground

The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 42

Deaths and injuries are direct and indirect together, as the offices filed them. Damage is property and crops in the dollars of the year, not adjusted for inflation, and only where an office estimated it.

What happened

The episode as NWS MPX wrote it up.

A powerfull storm system in western Missouri tracked north into Iowa by late in the evening on the 29th. It then headed east into central Illinois by late afternoon on the 30th. A widespread area of sleet, snow, and or freezing rain occurred across all of southern Minnesota. Ice accumulations generally ranged between a half an inch, to approximately three quarters of an inch across east central, and south central Minnesota. The area was generally east of a line from Harding (Morrison County), to St Cloud, to Paynesville, to Kimball (Stearns County), to Rice Lake (Wright County), to Mankato (blue Earth county), to Truman, to Trimont (Martin county). The area of 4 to 8 inch snowfall extended west of the aforementioned line. The heaviest swath of snow (6 to 8 inches), fell across the northwestern half of Todd, Douglas, the western half of Pope, the western two thirds of Swift and Chippewa counties, the western half of Renville, the western two thirds of Yellow Medicine, and all of Lac Qui Parle county. Damages from the storm included: Multiple broken trees and severed branches that forced the closure of Sakatah State Park in Waterville (Blue Earth county) for several days. Numerous trees in Winsted (Carver county) suffered loss of branches. Portions of New Ulm (Brown county) lost power during the morning hours on the 30th. Ice laden trees toppled onto Hwy 169 south of St. Peter, and Hwy 68 west of Hwy 60. Power lines and power poles were reported down at Hwy 19 on the west edge of New Prague. Intermittent power outages were reported in Mapleton, Waseca, Janesville, and Waterville. Forty five hundred customers lost power in Wright and Hennepin counties for several hours.

What forecasters said that day

The local office's own words before the first event, as it sent them, from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service text.

NWS Twin Cities, MN wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 29, 2:35 PM CST, 4 hours 25 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 29, 2:35 PM CST, 4 hours 25 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
235 PM CST MON JAN 29 2001

NORTHWARD ADVANCE OF PCPN HAS BEEN SLOWER THAN EXPECTED WITH RIDGE
HOLDING BACK PCPN SMWT.  FRZG RAIN HAS NEARED A OWA TO MKT LN AND
SHUD REACH THE S PTNS OF TC METRO ARND 4PM. PCPN WILL CONT TO EXPAND
N ACRS CWA DRNG EVE.  WILL CONT WITH ICE STORM WORDING SE
AREAS...BUT WILL HIGHLITE WITH WINTER STORM WARNING RMDR CWA WITH
MORE OF A MIX OF PCPN TYPES.  MAIN PCPN EVENT FOR S AREAS WILL BE
DRNG NITE.  AS IS OFTEN THE CASE AS LOW BGNS TO FILL THE PCPN BAND
BCMS DISPLACED WELL N OF LOW.  MODELS ARE INDICATING THAT THIS WILL
OCCUR WITH THIS SYSTEM FOR TUES.   CALLS TO SVRL COUNTIES IN SC MN
INDICATE THAT SOME SLEET IS MIXED IN WITH THE FRZG RAIN...BUT WOULD
EXPECT THIS TO BCM MAINLY ALL FRZG RAIN SHORTLY.  STG LIFT AND APRCH
OF UPR LOW SHUD CHG MOST PCPN TO SNW ACRS W AND INTO N AREAS DRNG
NITE.  PERSISTENT WRAPARND SNW SHUD DUMP A 4 TO 8 INCH BAND OF SNW
MAINLY W OF ILL TO STC.  WILL PRBLY SEE ICE ACCUMS OF ARND .5 INCH S
MN INTO WC WI.  IF SYSTEM WAS ALL SNOW...TOTALS WOULD BE QUITE
IMPRESSIVE WITH BJ COOKE SHOWING ARND 16 DEGREES WAA AND PWATS UP TO
.75 INCH.  PRDS LGT SNW SHUD CONT ON BACKSIDE OF DEPARTING LOW THRU
TUES NITE...ESPECIALLY E AREAS.

.MSP...ICE STORM WARNINGS TNGT SE AREA...S OF MKT TO RGK TO NEAR EAU

       WS WARNING TNGHT AND TUES MRNG N OF ICE STORM W@ARNING AS FAR
       N AS RCE THRU TC METRO TO ILL

       WS WARNING RMDR CWA TNGHT AND ALL DAY TUES.
PAULSON

The radar

The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

42 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Martin

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Martin forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.674, -94.551 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, McLeod

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: McLeod forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.824, -94.272 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Meeker

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Meeker forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.123, -94.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Mille Lacs

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Mille Lacs forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.938, -93.630 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Morrison

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Morrison forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 46.013, -94.268 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Nicollet

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Nicollet forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.350, -94.247 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Pope

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Pope forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.586, -95.444 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Ramsey

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Ramsey forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.017, -93.100 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Redwood

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Redwood forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.404, -95.254 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Renville

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Renville forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.727, -94.947 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Rice

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Rice forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.354, -93.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Scott

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Scott forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.649, -93.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Sherburne

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Sherburne forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.444, -93.775 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Sibley

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Sibley forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.580, -94.232 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Stearns

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Stearns forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.552, -94.613 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Steele

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Steele forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.022, -93.226 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Stevens

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Stevens forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.586, -96.000 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Swift

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Swift forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.283, -95.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Todd

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Todd forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 46.071, -94.898 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Waseca

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Waseca forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.022, -93.587 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Washington

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Washington forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.039, -92.884 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Watonwan

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Watonwan forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.978, -94.614 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Wright

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.174, -93.963 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Yellow Medicine

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.716, -95.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Anoka

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Anoka forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.273, -93.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Benton

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Benton forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.699, -93.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Blue Earth

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Blue Earth forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.035, -94.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Brown

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Brown forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.242, -94.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Carver

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Carver forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.821, -93.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Chippewa

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Chippewa forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.022, -95.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Chisago

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Chisago forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.503, -92.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Dakota

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Dakota forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.672, -93.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Douglas

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.934, -95.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Faribault

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Faribault forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.674, -93.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Freeborn

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Freeborn forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 43.674, -93.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Goodhue

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Goodhue forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.410, -92.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Hennepin

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Hennepin forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.005, -93.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Isanti

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Isanti forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.562, -93.295 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Kanabec

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Kanabec forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.945, -93.293 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Kandiyohi

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Kandiyohi forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 45.152, -95.005 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Lac Qui Parle

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.996, -96.173 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Le Sueur

When: January 29, 7:00 PM CST to January 30, 7:00 AM CST
Where: Le Sueur forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.371, -93.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.

After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2001 Every state in 2001 This day in weather history Warnings in Minnesota, January 2001

Sources

NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database, compiled from the National Weather Service’s monthly Storm Data. Complete through 2026-06; NCEI adds each month about 75 days after it ends and revises past years a few times a year. Rebuilt 2026-09-24. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 5227622, 5227623, 5227624, 5227625, 5227626, 5227627, 5227628, 5227629, 5227630, 5227631, 5227632, 5227633, 5227634, 5227635, 5227636, 5227637, 5227638, 5227639, 5227640, 5227641, 5227642, 5227643, 5227644, 5227645, 5229516, 5229517, 5229518, 5229519, 5229520, 5229521, 5229522, 5229523, 5229524, 5229525, 5229526, 5229527, 5229528, 5229529, 5229530, 5229531, and more.