Blizzard and Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 26, 2014

Name: Blizzard and Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 26, 2014
Start: 2014-01-26T09:58
End: 2014-01-26T20:54
Location: Minnesota

January 26, 2014 · NWS ARX · 7 events in 7 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 7 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: 7

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 ARX wrote it up.

Southeast Minnesota was hit by a blizzard during the afternoon of January 26th. Sustained winds of 25 to 40 mph with gusts approaching 60 mph produced widespread whiteout conditions where the visibility was reduced to a quarter mile or less. The winds also caused severe drifting to occur making many roads impassable and several vehicles were trapped in the snow. The stage was set for the blizzard to occur when a system passed across the region during the evening of the 25th and early morning of 26th and produced 2 to 3 inches of light fluffy snow. This snow then was used by the winds, along with additional falling light snow, to create the blizzard conditions behind a strong area of low pressure that moved across central Minnesota and northern Wisconsin. The highest measured wind gust was 58 mph from the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester (Olmsted County) airport.

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 La Crosse, WI wrote its last area forecast discussion before the first event at Jan 26, 7:08 AM CST, 2 hours 50 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Jan 26, 7:08 AM CST, 2 hours 50 minutes before

AREA FORECAST DISCUSSION
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
708 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

.SHORT TERM...(TODAY THROUGH TUESDAY)
ISSUED AT 345 AM CST SAT JAN 25 2014

THE IMPACTS FROM THIS STORM SYSTEM TODAY INTO TUESDAY CANNOT BE
UNDERSTATED. TRAVEL IS GOING TO BE IMPACTED...SIGNIFICANTLY FOR
SOUTHEAST MN/NORTHEAST - AND LIKELY IMPOSSIBLE IN RURAL AREAS BY
LATER IN THE AFTERNOON. THE COLD FROM LATE TONIGHT THROUGH TUE CAN
BE DEADLY IF PRECAUTIONS ARE NOT TAKEN.

3 PROGGED ATTACK FROM OLD MAN WINTER IS UNDERWAY AS AN AREA OF SNOW
MAKES IT WAY SOUTHEAST ACROSS MN/IA. SOME SUB 1 MILE VISIBILITIES
WITH THE SNOW. THE SNOW WAS RESPONDING TO STRONG THERMODYNAMICS IN
THE 925-700 MB LAYER AND ISENTROPIC UPGLIDE ON THE 280-295 K SFCS.
IT ALSO HAS UPPER LEVEL SUPPORT IN THE FORM OF A SHORTWAVE TROUGH
PUSHING SOUTHEAST ACROSS THE NORTHERN PLAINS/MN WITH STRONG QG
CONVERGENCE THROUGH THE ATMOSPHERE. ALL THIS LIFT IS MAXIMIZED
BETWEEN NOW AND 09-12Z. IF TRENDS CONTINUE...THE BULK OF THE
ACCUMULATING SNOWS WILL BE EAST OF THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER BY
12Z...EXITING INTO EASTERN WI BY 15Z. ITS MOVING PRETTY QUICK. 20
TO 1 RATIOS LOOK GOOD...AND SOME HINTS IN RAP/NAM12 BUFKIT SOUNDINGS
THAT THE DENDRITIC GROWTH ZONE COULD BE FAIRLY DEEP AT SOME
LOCATIONS. INCH PER HOUR RATES EARLY THIS MORNING ARE POSSIBLE...AND
ALREADY OCCURRING - PER MEDIA REPORT OUT OF AUSTIN. AMOUNTS FROM 2
TO 5 INCHES STILL LOOK. WILL BE ABLE TO CANCEL MOST...IF NOT ALL OF
THE ADVISORY BY 12-15Z.

WINDS WILL BE ON THE INCREASE THIS AFTERNOON AS THE SFC PRESSURE
GRADIENT TIGHTENS BETWEEN THE STORM SYSTEM/S DEPARTING SFC LOW AND
AN AREA OF HIGH PRESSURE OVER SOUTHERN CANADA. SUBSIDENCE POST THE
SHORTWAVE AND STRONG QG DIVERGENCE WILL ACT TO MIX DOWN THE LOW
LEVEL WINDS...WITH BUFKIT SOUNDINGS MIXING DOWN UPWARD OF 45 KTS OF
WIND. THE STRONGEST WINDS WILL BE IN THE USUAL PLACES...SOUTHEAST MN
AND NORTHEAST IA...MAXED THIS AFTERNOON THROUGH THE EVENING. BLOWING
AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW WILL OCCUR...AND WHITEOUTS AND NEAR
BLIZZARD CONDITIONS ARE ASSURED. VISIBILITIES LESS THAN 1/2 MILES
CAN BE EXPECTED...WITH ROADS DETERIORATING AND TRAVEL COULD BECOME
IMPOSSIBLE. THE QUESTION HERE IS WHETHER THE WINTER STORM WARNING
FOR SOUTHEAST MN/NORTHEAST IA SHOULD BE UPGRADED TO A BLIZZARD. IT
WILL NOT MEET THE TRADITIONAL DEFINITION AS FALLING SNOW WILL NOT BE
A FACTOR. WINDS AND VSBY RESTRICTIONS ARE LIKELY TO BE MET
THOUGH...AND IMPACTS WILL BE NEARLY AS BAD. THOUGHTS AT THE MOMENT
ARE TO HOLD WITH THE WARNING AND ADVISORY EAST OF IT AS IS...WITH
THE CAVEAT THAT THERE IS SOME POTENTIAL FOR AN UPGRADE...AND
POSSIBLE EXTENSION OF ANY WARNING EASTWARD.

THE ARCTIC...BITTER COLD ROLLS IN TONIGHT...WITH 850 MB TEMPS
BOTTOMING OUT FROM -28 TO -30 F MON MORNING. ECMWF 850 MB TEMP
ANOMALIES CONTINUE TO RUN FROM -2 TO -2.5 ON MONDAY. CLOUDS WILL
HANG AROUND MUCH OF TONIGHT...INHIBITING THE RADIATIONAL COOLING.
THAT WON/T BE THE CASE MONDAY NIGHT...AND WITH SOME FRESH SNOW
COVER...TEMPERATURES IN THE LOW 20S BELOW ZERO ARE LIKELY. THESE
WOULD BE THE COLDEST TEMPS OF THE WINTER SEASON FOR MANY LOCATIONS.
TEMPERATURES WON/T SEE ANYTHING ABOVE ZERO UNTIL LATER IN THE DAY
WED.

FACTOR IN THE WINDS FOR SUNDAY NIGHT - TUESDAY MORNING AND IT WILL
FEEL LIKE 30 TO 50 BELOW. THE WORST OF THE COLD WILL BE TUE MORNING.
HAVE ELECTED TO UPGRADE THE WIND CHILL WATCH TO WARNINGS AND
ADVISORIES. PARTS OF WESTERN WISCONSIN STAY A TAD WARMER THAN OUT
WEST...AND HAVE ELECTED TO GO WITH AN ADVISORY THERE FOR
TONIGHT/TUE. THESE COUNTIES COULD STILL TOUCH SUB -35 F WIND CHILLS
FROM A FEW HOURS MON MORNING - BUT PREDOMINANTLY THEY WILL BE WARMER
THAN THAT. A WARNING IS IN EFFECT ELSEWHERE...WITH WARNING FOR
EVERYONE AFTER 03Z TUE.

.LONG TERM...(WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY)
ISSUED AT 345 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

WEAK AND TEMPORARY RIDGING ON WED WILL HELP TEMPS VENTURE ABOVE
ZERO...LIKELY TOPPING OUT IN THE TEENS. NOT EXPECTING A LOT OF
IMPROVEMENT INTO THE UPCOMING WEEKEND THOUGH...WITH HIGHS LIKELY
HOLDING IN THE TEENS WITH LOWS BELOW ZERO.

MORE QUIET ON THE PRECIPITATION FRONT WITH THE GFS AND ECMWF HOLDING
A DRY FORECAST FOR MUCH OF THE WEEK. THE EXCEPTION WOULD BE A
SHORTWAVE THOUGH THAT COULD SPIN ACROSS THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER
VALLEY WED NIGHT/THU MORNING. A COLD FRONT WOULD SLIP ACROSS THE
REGION...AND COULD BRING SOME LIGHT SNOW/MINOR ACCUMULATIONS. BOTH
MODELS WOULD KEEP THE STRONGER/DEEPER FORCING ACROSS CANADA.

&&

.AVIATION...(FOR THE 12Z TAFS THROUGH 12Z  MONDAY MORNING)
ISSUED AT 540 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

SNOW WAS MOVING OUT OF THE AREA EARLY THIS MORNING...WITH IMPROVING
VSBYS BUT MVFR CIGS HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND. THE SFC LOW RESPONSIBLE
FOR THE SNOW WILL MOVE ACROSS THE TAF SITES THIS MORNING...WITH
WINDS BECOMING NORTHWEST AND INCREASING THRU THE LATE MORNING AND
AFTERNOON HOURS. THESE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO PICK UP THE FRESH SNOW
AND PRODUCE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING/DRIFTING THIS AFTERNOON/
EVENING...ESPECIALLY AT SITES LIKE KRST. VSBYS EXPECTED TO DROP TO
MVFR/IFR IN BLSN FOR MUCH OF THIS AFTERNOON/EVENING AT THE HIGHER
ELEVATION/OPEN COUNTRY SITES. PLENTY OF MVFR CLOUDS UPSTREAM WITH
MVFR CLOUD DECKS EXPECTED TO REMAIN OVER THE TAF SITES INTO THIS
EVENING. REMAINED OPTIMISTIC FOR SOME DECREASE/SCATTERING OF THE
MVFR CLOUD DECKS LATE THIS EVENING/OVERNIGHT...BUT CONFIDENCE IS NOT
HIGH ON THIS AS MODELS SOUNDINGS AND CROSS SECTIONS SHOW PLENTY OF
MOISTURE AROUND 925MB TO REMAIN OVER THE AREA WELL INTO MON MORNING.

&&

.ARX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT FOR
     WIZ061.

     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST TUESDAY FOR
     WIZ017-029-032>034.

     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO NOON CST TUESDAY FOR
     WIZ041>044-053>055-061.

     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 PM CST MONDAY FOR
     WIZ041>044-053>055-061.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT
     FOR WIZ032>034-041>044-053>055.

MN...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT FOR
     MNZ086-087-094-095.

     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST TUESDAY FOR
     MNZ079-086>088-094-095.

     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO NOON CST TUESDAY FOR
     MNZ096.

     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 PM CST MONDAY FOR
     MNZ096.

     WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT
     FOR MNZ079-088-096.

IA...WINTER STORM WARNING FROM NOON TODAY TO MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT FOR
     IAZ008>011-018-019-029-030.

     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO NOON CST TUESDAY FOR
     IAZ008>010-018-019-029.

     WIND CHILL WARNING FROM 9 PM MONDAY TO NOON CST TUESDAY FOR
     IAZ011-030.

     WIND CHILL ADVISORY FROM MIDNIGHT TONIGHT TO 9 PM CST MONDAY FOR
     IAZ011-030.

&&

SHORT TERM...RIECK
LONG TERM....RIECK
AVIATION.....RRS

Hazardous weather outlook, Jan 26, 5:18 AM CST, 4 hours 40 minutes before

HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
518 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

WIZ017-029-271130-
TAYLOR-CLARK-
518 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST
IOWA...SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA AND SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE TONIGHT. BRISK
NORTHWEST WINDS AND TEMPERATURES HEADING WELL BELOW ZERO WILL
RESULT IN DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF -30 TO -40 LATE TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A WIND CHILL WARNING CONTINUES FOR MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
A BITTER COLD ARCTIC AIRMASS COMBINED WITH NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
PRODUCE DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF -35 TO -50 FOR MUCH OF THE
MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING PERIOD. THIS ARCTIC OUTBREAK WILL
BE COMPARABLE TO THE COLD OUTBREAK EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 6TH AND
7TH.

THE NEXT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE SNOW SPREADS INTO THE AREA FRIDAY
NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW REPORTS ARE APPRECIATED...ALONG WITH REPORTS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND VISIBILITIES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO WEBINAR IS SCHEDULED.

MNZ079-088-WIZ032>034-271130-
WABASHA-WINONA-BUFFALO-TREMPEALEAU-JACKSON-
518 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA AND WEST-CENTRAL WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH GUSTING TO 35 TO
45 MPH WILL CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW
SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES. SOME ROADS ARE LIKELY TO BE COVERED
BY DRIFTING SNOW.

A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE TONIGHT. BRISK
NORTHWEST WINDS AND TEMPERATURES HEADING WELL BELOW ZERO WILL
RESULT IN DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF -30 TO -40.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A WIND CHILL WARNING CONTINUES FOR MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
A BITTER COLD ARCTIC AIRMASS COMBINED WITH NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
PRODUCE DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF -35 TO -50 FOR MUCH OF THE
MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING PERIOD. THIS ARCTIC OUTBREAK WILL
BE COMPARABLE TO THE COLD OUTBREAK EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 6TH AND
7TH.

THE NEXT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE SNOW SPREADS INTO THE AREA FRIDAY
NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW REPORTS ARE APPRECIATED...ALONG WITH REPORTS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND VISIBILITIES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO WEBINAR IS SCHEDULED.

IAZ008>010-018-019-029-MNZ086-087-094-095-271130-
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-FAYETTE-DODGE-OLMSTED-
MOWER-FILLMORE-
518 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA
AND SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH GUSTING TO 4O TO
50 MPH WILL CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW
SNOW...RESULTING IN WHITE-OUTS AND NEAR BLIZZARD-LIKE CONDITIONS.
SOME ROADS ARE LIKELY TO BECOME BLOCKED BY DRIFTING SNOW.

A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE TONIGHT. BRISK
NORTHWEST WINDS AND TEMPERATURES HEADING WELL BELOW ZERO WILL
RESULT IN DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF -30 TO -40 LATE TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A WIND CHILL WARNING CONTINUES FOR MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING.
A BITTER COLD ARCTIC AIRMASS COMBINED WITH NORTHWEST WINDS WILL
PRODUCE DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF -35 TO -50 FOR MUCH OF THE
MONDAY THROUGH TUESDAY MORNING PERIOD. THIS ARCTIC OUTBREAK WILL
BE COMPARABLE TO THE COLD OUTBREAK EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 6TH AND
7TH.

THE NEXT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE SNOW SPREADS INTO THE AREA FRIDAY
NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW REPORTS ARE APPRECIATED...ALONG WITH REPORTS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND VISIBILITIES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO WEBINAR IS SCHEDULED.

MNZ096-WIZ041-042-053>055-271130-
HOUSTON-LA CROSSE-MONROE-VERNON-CRAWFORD-RICHLAND-
518 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF SOUTHEAST
MINNESOTA AND WESTERN INTO SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH GUSTING TO 35 TO
45 MPH WILL CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW
SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES. SOME ROADS ARE LIKELY TO BE COVERED
BY DRIFTING SNOW.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE TONIGHT. BRISK
NORTHWEST WINDS AND TEMPERATURES HEADING WELL BELOW ZERO WILL
RESULT IN WIND CHILLS OF -20 TO -35 BY LATE TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR MONDAY INTO MONDAY EVENING.
WIND CHILLS OF -20 TO -35 WILL CONTINUE. WIND CHILLS WILL BECOME
EVEN COLDER LATE MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING...FROM -35 TO
-50. A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT DURING THIS TIME. THIS
ARCTIC OUTBREAK WILL BE COMPARABLE TO THE COLD OUTBREAK
EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 6TH AND 7TH.

THE NEXT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE SNOW SPREADS INTO THE AREA FRIDAY
NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW REPORTS ARE APPRECIATED...ALONG WITH REPORTS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND VISIBILITIES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO WEBINAR IS SCHEDULED.

WIZ043-044-271130-
JUNEAU-ADAMS-
518 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF CENTRAL
WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR TODAY AND THIS EVENING.
STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 25 MPH GUSTING TO 35 TO 45 MPH
WILL CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW SNOW AND
REDUCED VISIBILITIES. SOME ROADS ARE LIKELY TO BE COVERED BY
DRIFTING SNOW.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE TONIGHT. BRISK
NORTHWEST WINDS AND TEMPERATURES HEADING WELL BELOW ZERO WILL
RESULT IN WIND CHILLS OF -20 TO -35 BY LATE TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR MONDAY INTO MONDAY EVENING.
WIND CHILLS OF -20 TO -35 WILL CONTINUE. WIND CHILLS WILL BECOME
EVEN COLDER LATE MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING...FROM -35 TO
-50. A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT DURING THIS TIME. THIS
ARCTIC OUTBREAK WILL BE COMPARABLE TO THE COLD OUTBREAK
EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 6TH AND 7TH.

THE NEXT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE SNOW SPREADS INTO THE AREA FRIDAY
NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW REPORTS ARE APPRECIATED...ALONG WITH REPORTS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND VISIBILITIES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO WEBINAR IS SCHEDULED.

IAZ011-030-WIZ061-271130-
ALLAMAKEE-CLAYTON-GRANT-
518 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

THIS HAZARDOUS WEATHER OUTLOOK IS FOR PORTIONS OF NORTHEAST IOWA
AND SOUTHWEST WISCONSIN.

.DAY ONE...TODAY AND TONIGHT

A WINTER STORM WARNING IS IN EFFECT FOR THIS AFTERNOON AND
EVENING. STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS OF 20 TO 30 MPH GUSTING TO 4O TO
50 MPH WILL CREATE CONSIDERABLE BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF THE NEW
SNOW...RESULTING IN WHITE-OUTS AND NEAR BLIZZARD-LIKE CONDITIONS.
SOME ROADS ARE LIKELY TO BECOME BLOCKED BY DRIFTING SNOW.

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR LATE TONIGHT. BRISK
NORTHWEST WINDS AND TEMPERATURES HEADING WELL BELOW ZERO WILL
RESULT IN DANGEROUS WIND CHILLS OF -20 TO -35 BY LATE TONIGHT.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...MONDAY THROUGH SATURDAY

A WIND CHILL ADVISORY IS IN EFFECT FOR MONDAY INTO MONDAY EVENING.
WIND CHILLS OF -20 TO -35 WILL CONTINUE. WIND CHILLS WILL BECOME
EVEN COLDER LATE MONDAY NIGHT INTO TUESDAY MORNING...FROM -35 TO
-50. A WIND CHILL WARNING IS IN EFFECT DURING THIS TIME. THIS
ARCTIC OUTBREAK WILL BE COMPARABLE TO THE COLD OUTBREAK
EXPERIENCED ON JANUARY 6TH AND 7TH.

THE NEXT CHANCE OF MEASURABLE SNOW SPREADS INTO THE AREA FRIDAY
NIGHT AND SATURDAY.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SNOW REPORTS ARE APPRECIATED...ALONG WITH REPORTS OF BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND VISIBILITIES THIS AFTERNOON AND EVENING.

.EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT COORDINATION...

NO WEBINAR IS SCHEDULED.

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Jan 26, 7:24 AM CST, 2 hours 34 minutes before

SPECIAL WEATHER STATEMENT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
724 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

IAZ008>010-018-019-029-MNZ086-087-094-095-261530-
MITCHELL-HOWARD-WINNESHIEK-FLOYD-CHICKASAW-FAYETTE-DODGE-OLMSTED-
MOWER-FILLMORE-
INCLUDING THE CITIES OF...DECORAH...CHARLES CITY...OELWEIN...
ROCHESTER...AUSTIN
724 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

...INCREASING WEST AND NORTHWEST WINDS ALREADY SPREADING INTO THE
AREA...

STRONGER WEST AND NORTHWEST WINDS WERE ALREADY SPREADING INTO
THE AREA THIS MORNING AS THE LOW RESPONSIBLE FOR LAST NIGHTS SNOW
MOVES INTO WISCONSIN. THESE WINDS WILL CREATE SOME BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES FOR A PERIOD THIS
MORNING. BE ALERT FOR SOME SLIPPERY ROADS AND REDUCED VISIBILITIES
IF TRAVELING THIS MORNING. THESE WINDS ARE EXPECTED TO DECREASE
THRU THE MORNING AS A SECOND LOW DROPS INTO THE AREA AND THE
ARCTIC COLD FRONT APPROACHES.

THE MAIN SURGE OF STRONG NORTHWEST WINDS IS STILL EXPECTED THIS
AFTERNOON...BEHIND THE ARCTIC COLD FRONT. WIDESPREAD BLOWING AND
DRIFTING SNOW WITH NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS AREA EXPECTED THIS
AFTERNOON AS NORTHWEST WINDS GUST INTO THE 40 TO 50 MPH RANGE.

RRS

Local storm report, Jan 26, 7:35 AM CST, 2 hours 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
735 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             1 WNW FRIENDSHIP        43.98N 89.83W
01/26/2014  M6.1 INCH        ADAMS              WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION FRIENDSHIP /FRSW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 WSW HILLSBORO         43.65N 90.35W
01/26/2014  M4.0 INCH        VERNON             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION HILLSBORO WSW /HBOW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 NW FAYETTE            42.85N 91.82W
01/26/2014  M3.7 INCH        FAYETTE            IA   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION FAYETTE /FYTI4/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 SSE CHARLES CITY      43.06N 92.67W
01/26/2014  M3.5 INCH        FLOYD              IA   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION CHARLES CITY /CIYI4/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 SW MONONA             43.04N 91.40W
01/26/2014  M3.4 INCH        CLAYTON            IA   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION MONONA WWTP /MNOI4/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0630 AM     SNOW             SAINT ANSGAR            43.38N 92.92W
01/26/2014  M2.6 INCH        MITCHELL           IA   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION ST ANSGAR /SANI4/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             2 WSW GALESVILLE        44.07N 91.39W
01/26/2014  M2.4 INCH        TREMPEALEAU        WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION GALESVILLE 2WSW
            /GAVW3/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             2 WNW MEDERVILLE        42.78N 91.45W
01/26/2014  M2.4 INCH        CLAYTON            IA   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION ELKADER 6SSW /EKRI4/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 N WABASHA             44.38N 92.05W
01/26/2014  M2.3 INCH        WABASHA            MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION WABASHA /WABM5/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             MABEL                   43.52N 91.76W
01/26/2014  M1.7 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   MESONET

            MESONET STATION MABEL /MABM5/ SNOW DURATION
            24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 NW WHITMAN            44.16N 91.81W
01/26/2014  M1.5 INCH        WINONA             MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION MINNESOTA CITY DAM 5
            /MSCM5/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             4 SSW ROCKBRIDGE        43.40N 90.39W
01/26/2014  M1.0 INCH        RICHLAND           WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION RICHLAND CENTER 4N
            /RCRW3/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

&&

NWS LA CROSSE WI
IRIS SYSTEM

Local storm report, Jan 26, 8:22 AM CST, 1 hour 36 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
822 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0700 AM     SNOW             2 ESE MONROE CENTER     44.11N 89.92W
01/26/2014  M4.2 INCH        ADAMS              WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION MONROE CENTER 1E
            /MROW3/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             7 ENE BURR OAK          44.07N 90.92W
01/26/2014  M3.8 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION FOUR CORNERS /BFCW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             2 NNW BLOOMINGDALE      43.67N 90.81W
01/26/2014  M3.1 INCH        VERNON             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION WESTBY 3ENE /WESW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0752 AM     SNOW             EDGEWOOD                42.65N 91.40W
01/26/2014  M3.0 INCH        CLAYTON            IA   EMERGENCY MANAGER

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            EDGEWOOD

0741 AM     SNOW             RICEVILLE               43.36N 92.55W
01/26/2014  E2.8 INCH        MITCHELL           IA   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0820 AM     SNOW             1 N HOLMEN              43.98N 91.26W
01/26/2014  E2.7 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0805 AM     SNOW             1 W WEST SALEM          43.90N 91.10W
01/26/2014  M2.6 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   NWS EMPLOYEE

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            WEST SALEM

0700 AM     SNOW             2 SSE NORA SPRINGS      43.11N 92.99W
01/26/2014  M2.5 INCH        FLOYD              IA   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 2 SSE NORA SPRINGS /3411V/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0821 AM     SNOW             3 NNE NEW AMSTERDAM     44.02N 91.30W
01/26/2014  M2.5 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   NWS EMPLOYEE

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            HOLMEN 4N

0700 AM     SNOW             1 S RICHLAND CENTER     43.32N 90.38W
01/26/2014  M2.4 INCH        RICHLAND           WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION RICHLAND CENTER
            /RICW3/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             3 E SPRING VALLEY       43.68N 92.33W
01/26/2014  M2.4 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION SPRING VALLEY 3E
            /SPYM5/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0745 AM     SNOW             1 SSE THEILMAN          44.28N 92.19W
01/26/2014  M2.4 INCH        WABASHA            MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION THEILMAN 1SSW /THLM5/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0749 AM     SNOW             GOODVIEW                44.07N 91.71W
01/26/2014  M2.2 INCH        WINONA             MN   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            GOODVIEW

0700 AM     SNOW             1 ESE VIROQUA           43.55N 90.87W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        VERNON             WI   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION VIROQUA /2190V/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0730 AM     SNOW             4 N PLUGTOWN            43.26N 90.76W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        CRAWFORD           WI   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 N PLUGTOWN /4077H/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0630 AM     SNOW             2 SE MANTORVILLE        44.05N 92.72W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        DODGE              MN   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 2 ESE MANTORVILLE /8662S/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             7 SE LOCUST             43.34N 91.64W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        WINNESHIEK         IA   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 4 S SATTRE /8864A/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             2 N VIOLA               44.10N 92.27W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        OLMSTED            MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION ELGIN 2SSW /EGNM5/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0730 AM     SNOW             3 SSE STEUBEN           43.13N 90.84W
01/26/2014  M1.8 INCH        CRAWFORD           WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION STEUBEN 4SE /SBNW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             LANESBORO               43.72N 91.97W
01/26/2014  M1.7 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION LANESBORO /LNBM5/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             2 SW GENOA              44.09N 92.64W
01/26/2014  M1.0 INCH        OLMSTED            MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION BYRON 4 NORTH /BYRM5/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

&&

NWS LA CROSSE WI
IRIS SYSTEM

Local storm report, Jan 26, 8:42 AM CST, 1 hour 16 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
842 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0826 AM     SNOW             PLEASANTVILLE           44.45N 91.30W
01/26/2014  M5.0 INCH        TREMPEALEAU        WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0828 AM     SNOW             3 SSE CHRISTIE          44.61N 90.56W
01/26/2014  M3.0 INCH        CLARK              WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            NEILLSVILLE 4NNE

0841 AM     SNOW             LANCASTER               42.85N 90.71W
01/26/2014  M3.0 INCH        GRANT              WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 E VIROQUA             43.56N 90.88W
01/26/2014  M2.4 INCH        VERNON             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION VIROQUA /VQAW3/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             LA FARGE                43.57N 90.64W
01/26/2014  M2.1 INCH        VERNON             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION LA FARGE /LAFW3/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0829 AM     SNOW             SPARTA                  43.94N 90.81W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        MONROE             WI   PUBLIC

            0.2" LIQUID SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0800 AM     SNOW             2 NNE OWEN              44.98N 90.55W
01/26/2014  M1.7 INCH        CLARK              WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION OWEN 2N /OWEW3/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0838 AM     SNOW             LUBLIN                  45.08N 90.72W
01/26/2014  M1.5 INCH        TAYLOR             WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            LUBLIN

0828 AM     SNOW             4 WSW HANOVER           43.34N 91.60W
01/26/2014  M1.3 INCH        ALLAMAKEE          IA   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            WAUKON 8NW

0840 AM     SNOW             3 NNW RIB LAKE          45.35N 90.22W
01/26/2014  M1.0 INCH        TAYLOR             WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            WESTBORO 4E

&&

NWS LA CROSSE WI
IRIS SYSTEM

Local storm report, Jan 26, 8:50 AM CST, 1 hour 8 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
850 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

..TIME...   ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
..DATE...   ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0745 AM     SNOW             3 E SPRING VALLEY       43.69N 92.33W
01/26/2014  M1.5 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   CO-OP OBSERVER

            NEAR ZERO VISIBILITY. SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING
            SNOW.

&&

ZT

Local storm report, Jan 26, 9:31 AM CST, 27 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE LA CROSSE WI
931 AM CST SUN JAN 26 2014

...TIME...  ...EVENT...      ...CITY LOCATION...     ...LAT.LON...
...DATE...  ....MAG....      ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE....
            ..REMARKS..

0927 AM     SNOW             NEW LISBON              43.88N 90.16W
01/26/2014  M5.8 INCH        JUNEAU             WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0830 AM     SNOW             1 SSW BLACK RIVER FALLS 44.29N 90.85W
01/26/2014  M5.5 INCH        JACKSON            WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION BLACK RIVER FALLS
            SEWAGE /BLKW3/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             TUNNEL CITY             44.01N 90.57W
01/26/2014  M4.3 INCH        MONROE             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION TUNNEL CITY /TUNW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             3 W KIRBY               44.10N 90.59W
01/26/2014  M3.8 INCH        MONROE             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION WARRENS 4WSW /WRNW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0846 AM     SNOW             1 WNW ARCADIA           44.25N 91.51W
01/26/2014  M3.5 INCH        TREMPEALEAU        WI   LAW ENFORCEMENT

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS OBSERVER LOCATION
            ARCADIA

0700 AM     SNOW             3 E ONTARIO             43.72N 90.53W
01/26/2014  M3.1 INCH        VERNON             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION ONTARIO 3E /OTRW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             LANCASTER               42.85N 90.71W
01/26/2014  M3.0 INCH        GRANT              WI   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION LANCASTER /4845O/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             COLWELL                 43.16N 92.59W
01/26/2014  M3.0 INCH        FLOYD              IA   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION COLWELL /CLWI4/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             3 NNW SHORTVILLE        44.54N 90.53W
01/26/2014  M3.0 INCH        CLARK              WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION NEILLSVILLE 3ESE
            /NELW3/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             WEST SALEM              43.90N 91.09W
01/26/2014  M2.6 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION WEST SALEM /WSLW3/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0800 AM     SNOW             2 ENE WILMINGTON        43.56N 91.51W
01/26/2014  M2.5 INCH        HOUSTON            MN   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 2 ENE WILMINGTON /0457B/
            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             1 ENE MELVINA           43.81N 90.76W
01/26/2014  M2.5 INCH        MONROE             WI   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION 1 ENE MELVINA /3734B/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             2 SSE HOLMEN            43.93N 91.25W
01/26/2014  M2.3 INCH        LA CROSSE          WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION HOLMEN 2S /HMNW3/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0800 AM     SNOW             1 WNW LA CRESCENT       43.83N 91.31W
01/26/2014  M2.3 INCH        HOUSTON            MN   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION 1 NNW LA CRESCENT
            /LCPM5/ SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             NEW HAMPTON             43.06N 92.32W
01/26/2014  M2.1 INCH        CHICKASAW          IA   COCORAHS

            COCORAHS STATION NEW HAMPTON /4233S/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0919 AM     SNOW             LANESBORO               43.72N 91.97W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0854 AM     SNOW             BOAZ                    43.33N 90.53W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        RICHLAND           WI   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0919 AM     SNOW             PRESTON                 43.67N 92.08W
01/26/2014  M2.0 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0919 AM     SNOW             SPRING VALLEY           43.69N 92.39W
01/26/2014  M1.8 INCH        FILLMORE           MN   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0800 AM     SNOW             1 SSE MEDFORD           45.13N 90.34W
01/26/2014  M1.5 INCH        TAYLOR             WI   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION MEDFORD /MEDW3/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

0926 AM     SNOW             ROCHESTER               44.01N 92.48W
01/26/2014  M1.5 INCH        OLMSTED            MN   PUBLIC

            SNOW DURATION 24 HOURS

0700 AM     SNOW             2 SSE BASSETT           43.03N 92.50W
01/26/2014  M1.0 INCH        CHICKASAW          IA   COOP OBSERVER

            COOP OBSERVER STATION IONIA 2W /IONI4/ SNOW
            DURATION 24 HOURS

&&

NWS LA CROSSE WI
IRIS SYSTEM

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

4 blizzard, 3 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Winona

When: January 26, 9:58 AM CST to 7:45 PM CST
Where: Winona forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.987, -91.779 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sustained northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts, created considerable blowing and drifting snow across Winona County after 2 to 3 inches of snow fell. The blowing and drifting snow created very poor driving conditions. All the schools across the county were closed on the 27th as a result of the conditions produced by the blowing and drifting snow and extremely cold wind chills.

Winter Storm, Houston

When: January 26, 10:19 AM CST to 8:00 PM CST
Where: Houston forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 43.671, -91.493 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sustained northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts, created considerable blowing and drifting snow across Houston County after 2 to 3 inches of snow fell. The blowing and drifting snow created very poor driving conditions. All the schools across the county were closed on the 27th as a result of the conditions produced by the blowing and drifting snow and extremely cold wind chills.

Winter Storm, Wabasha

When: January 26, 11:15 AM CST to 7:30 PM CST
Where: Wabasha forecast zone
Reported by: Law Enforcement
Coordinates: 44.284, -92.230 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Sustained northwest winds of 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts, created considerable blowing and drifting snow across Wabasha County after 2 to 3 inches of snow fell. The blowing and drifting snow created very poor driving conditions. All the schools across the county were closed on the 27th as a result of the conditions produced by the blowing and drifting snow and extremely cold wind chills.

Blizzard, Olmsted

When: January 26, 1:25 PM CST to 8:54 PM CST
Where: Olmsted forecast zone
Reported by: ASOS
Coordinates: 44.004, -92.402 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Northwest winds between 25 and 40 mph with gusts of 50 to 60 mph, created a period of blizzard conditions across Olmsted County. As a result of the blizzard, numerous roads were impassable due to severe drifting with some vehicles becoming trapped in the snow. All schools in the county were closed on the 27th from a combination of the conditions left behind by the blizzard and extremely cold wind chills. The highest measured wind gust during the blizzard was 58 mph from the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester airport.

Blizzard, Dodge

When: January 26, 1:51 PM CST to 7:50 PM CST
Where: Dodge forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 44.023, -92.862 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Northwest winds between 25 and 40 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph, created a period of blizzard conditions across Dodge County. As a result of the blizzard, numerous roads were impassable due to severe drifting with some vehicles becoming trapped in the snow. All schools in the county were closed on the 27th from a combination of the conditions left behind by the blizzard and extremely cold wind chills. The highest measured wind gust during the blizzard was 56 mph from a mesonet reporting station near Kasson.

Blizzard, Fillmore

When: January 26, 1:54 PM CST to 7:34 PM CST
Where: Fillmore forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 43.674, -92.090 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Northwest winds between 25 and 40 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph, created a period of blizzard conditions across Fillmore County. As a result of the blizzard, numerous roads were impassable due to severe drifting with some vehicles becoming trapped in the snow. All schools in the county were closed on the 27th from a combination of the conditions left behind by the blizzard and extremely cold wind chills. The highest measured wind gust during the blizzard was 51 mph from a mesonet reporting station near Canton.

Blizzard, Mower

When: January 26, 2:14 PM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Mower forecast zone
Reported by: AWOS
Coordinates: 43.672, -92.752 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Northwest winds between 25 and 40 mph with gusts of 45 to 55 mph, created a period of blizzard conditions across Mower County. As a result of the blizzard, numerous roads were impassable due to severe drifting with some vehicles becoming trapped in the snow. All schools in the county were closed on the 27th from a combination of the conditions left behind by the blizzard and extremely cold wind chills. The highest measured wind gust during the blizzard was 54 mph from a mesonet reporting station near Dexter.

What these are

Winter Storm: A storm that brought snow, sleet or freezing rain at warning levels, usually over several hours or days.
Blizzard: Sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or more with falling or blowing snow that cuts visibility below a quarter mile for three hours or longer.

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

The same day elsewhere

Every storm in Minnesota in 2014 Every state in 2014 This day in weather history Warnings in Minnesota, January 2014

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: 489983, 489976, 489982, 489980, 489966, 489975, 489978.