Winter Storm in Minnesota, March 8 to 9, 2002

Name: Winter Storm in Minnesota, March 8 to 9, 2002
Start: 2002-03-08T18:00
End: 2002-03-09T16:00
Location: Minnesota

March 8 to 9, 2002 · NWS MPX · 42 events in 42 counties and zones

A winter storm that intensified over Eastern Kansas during the evening hours on the 8th, tracked northeast across central Iowa by midnight, and then moved into West Central Wisconsin by the late morning hours on the 9th. A band of snow between 3 and 5 inches fell from Southwestern to East Central Minnesota, and was accompanied by 25 to 35 mph winds, which produced considerable blowing and…

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.

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 Mar 8, 3:30 PM CST, 2 hours 30 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 8, 3:30 PM CST, 2 hours 30 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION...CORRECTED
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
330 PM CST FRI MAR 8 2002

UPON REVIEW OF MESOETA AND ETA MODEL SOUNDINGS FOR WEST CENTRAL
WISCONSIN COUNTIES WE HAVE OPTED TO RESOLVE OUR WINTER STORM WATCHES
WITH WINTER STORM WARNINGS FOR TONIGHT...PER COORDINATION WITH ARX.
A SIGNIFICANT GLAZING SITUATION APPEARS LIKELY OVER PART OF WESTERN
WISCONSIN THROUGH THIS EVENING WITH A TRANSITION TO SNOW LATER
TONIGHT.  HOPEFULLY...ANY ICE ACCUMULATION CAN BE WORKED OFF LATER
TONIGHT THROUGH A COMBINATION OF RAIN LATER THIS EVENING...OR A
BRIEF MOVE ABOVE FREEZING. VERY STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS ON
SATURDAY WILL CAUSE MAJOR HAVOC IF WIRE OR TREE LIMBS REMAIN ICE LADEN.

FURTHER WEST...HEAVY SNOW WITH VERY STRONG BACKSIDE WINDS CONTINUE
AS THE FORECAST THEME WITH WINTER STORM WARNINGS CONTINUED.
ARGUMENTS CONCERNING THE DYNAMIC FORCING FROM FAVORABLE JET
CONFIGURATIONS...TOGETHER WITH STRONG MOISTURE INFLUX INTO THIS
SYSTEM REMAIN AS PRINCIPAL JUSTIFICATION FOR OUR WARNINGS.

PRECIPITATION MENTIONED FOR SUNDAY NIGHT AND MONDAY...AND AGAIN ON
WEDNESDAY IN EXTENDED WITH MEX FIGURES FOLLOWED CLOSELY.

.MSP...WINTER STORM WARNING TONIGHT AND SATURDAY MORNING NORTH AND
WEST OF A LINE FROM FAIRMONT TO FARIBAULT TO OSCEOLA.  WINTER STORM
WARNING TONIGHT TO THE SOUTH AND EAST OF THE SAME ABOVE MENTIONED
LINE.
WET

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 8, 1:45 PM CST, 4 hours 15 minutes before

MNZ045-082000-

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT...TEST
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
145 PM CST FRI MAR 8 2002

...TEST...

THIS IS A TEST OF A COMMUNICATIONS CIRCUIT.
TDK

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, Le Sueur

When: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.371, -93.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Winter Storm, Martin

When: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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, Anoka

When: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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, Washington

When: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM 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: March 8, 6:00 PM CST to March 9, 4:00 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine forecast zone
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Coordinates: 44.716, -95.868 (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 2002 Every state in 2002 This day in weather history Warnings in Minnesota, March 2002

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: 5284493, 5284494, 5284495, 5284496, 5284497, 5284498, 5284499, 5284500, 5284501, 5284502, 5284503, 5284504, 5284505, 5284506, 5284507, 5284508, 5284509, 5284510, 5284511, 5284512, 5284513, 5286095, 5286096, 5286097, 5286098, 5286099, 5286100, 5286101, 5286102, 5286103, 5286104, 5286105, 5286106, 5286107, 5286108, 5286109, 5286110, 5286111, 5286919, 5286920, and more.