Winter Storm in Minnesota, March 4 to 6, 2018

Name: Winter Storm in Minnesota, March 4 to 6, 2018
Start: 2018-03-04T21:00
End: 2018-03-06T00:00
Location: Minnesota

March 4 to 6, 2018 · NWS MPX · 36 events in 36 counties and zones

A late Winter storm developed across the Rockies Sunday night, March 4th, and moved out into the Plains by Monday morning. This storm continued to intensify Monday, with bands of heavy snow wrapping around the center of the storm system through Monday evening.

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 36 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.

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Wind
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Fire, smoke and dust
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The toll

Deaths: 0
Injuries: 0
Property damage: None recorded
Crop damage: None recorded
Events: 36

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.

At the beginning, a warm layer aloft kept most of the precipitation initially in the form of sleet, snow, and patchy freezing rain late Sunday night, and into Monday morning. One band of precipitation fell from southeast Minnesota, northwest into east central and central Minnesota Sunday evening, and into early Monday morning. North of the Twin Cities, the sleet and snow, changed over to all snow and became heavy at times north of St. Cloud. A quick 4 to 6 inches of snow fell in Morrison, and Todd Counties of central Minnesota during the pre-dawn hours.

The initial band of precipitation was very convective in nature with thunderstorms reported in southern Minnesota Monday morning. A secondary band of precipitation developed across eastern South Dakota, and eastern Nebraska. This area of precipitation moved northward, but the continued to rotate around the main storm system centered near Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The band of precipitation moved into southwest Minnesota and changed over to heavy snowfall late Monday morning. Snowfall rates increased with some areas of southwest Minnesota receiving up to 6 inches of snow by the early afternoon. This band moved into south central, southeast and east central Minnesota by the mid afternoon hours. Snowfall rates continued in the 1 to 2 inch per hour range. Slowly by the late evening, the heavier bands of snow weakened, with most areas by midnight were only reporting light snow.

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 4, 6:34 PM CST, 2 hours 26 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 4, 6:34 PM CST, 2 hours 26 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
634 PM CST Sun Mar 4 2018

.Updated for 00Z Aviation Discussion...
Issued at 626 PM CST Sun Mar 4 2018

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Tuesday)
Issued at 347 PM CST Sun Mar 4 2018

The winter storm expected for tomorrow remains on track after
models continued to show eastern/central MN and parts of western
WI within a favorable area to see significant impacts due to heavy
snow, mainly tomorrow afternoon through early evening.

The overall evolution of the storm remains relatively unchanged.  A
strong low pressure system is taking shape along the lee of the
Rockies.  This system will have a lot of energy with it, as we've
already see showers and thunderstorms lift through ahead of it. The
deep upper trough over Montana/Wyoming now will pivot and become
negatively tilted through tonight, and the 850H low is revealing of
just how far north the warm air has already been pulled.
Temperatures this afternoon in the mid 40s will cool some overnight,
but expect once the precip arrives for it to begin as rain.  The
surface low will certainly take an atypical track for us to see
winter storm warning type snow, but this will be achieved by a very
impressive warm conveyor belt band of snow that is going to make
the Monday afternoon commute very tough.

Expect light rain to begin developing this evening as the system
pushes east.  This rain will reach far western MN in just a few
hours from now, and gradually progress eastward through the evening.
With temperatures starting out so warm and the strong southeasterly
flow feeding that, rain will be the primary p-type through the night
from the Twin Cities westward.  From areas near St. Cloud to New
Richmond, cooler temps will allow a wintry mix to develop by early
morning.  The timing of transition to snow will be critical for the
amounts expected, and it still looks like by about mid morning, much
of the area is going to quickly transition to snow (starting up near
Alexandria around 8-9AM, then slightly slower transition to the
southeast from there).  So, the morning commute is going to be
rather uneventful for many, with rain as the primary issue.  But
once that transition occurs, very heavy snow will develop along this
very impressive band.  Isentropic lift is very impressive and 3-4
g/kg mixing ratios, the combination of lift and moisture is
impressive.  So, tomorrow afternoon will likely bring 1-2"/hr rates
in the warning area and make for a very difficult evening commute.

As the low fills tomorrow night, it will drift Southeast and bring
continued light snow to the region, but only an inch or two could
fall by this point.  The reason southwest MN is not under a winter
weather headline is because the dry slot with the surface low will
shut off precipitation very quickly there tomorrow, after mainly
rain has fallen.  That area will see some light accumulation
tomorrow night into Tuesday as the system moves east of the area,
but not enough to warrant any headline issuance.  If the track of
the system were to change, the result would change for this area as
well.

Lastly, this is a complicated late winter storm, so uncertainty is
higher certainly that some of the previous events this winter.  So,
continue to keep up to date on the latest forecast.

.LONG TERM...(Monday night through Sunday)
Issued at 347 PM CST Sun Mar 4 2018

The weather is fairly quiet in the wake of Monday's snow storm.
Northwest flow and arctic air will keep temperatures cooler than
the seasonal average for early March. A few snow showers are
possible at times give the cold boundary layer air together with
the weak forcing from periodic shortwaves rotating down from
Canada. Little if any accumulation will occur with these waves. No
changes were made to the blended guidance in the long term part
of the forecast.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Monday evening)
Issued at 626 PM CST Sun Mar 4 2018

VFR conditions will deteriorate overnight as a strong storm system
bring rain/snow, wind shear, and IFR/LIFR conditions. The main
change was to speed up the timing of the snow. A wintry mix is
possible overnight, but surface temps will be near freezing so
think freezing rain is limited at this point. Heavy snow will
develop on Monday, with wind gusts near 35kts.

KMSP...
Put in a little chance of thunder tonight given the elevated
instability that is being realized across eastern North Dakota.
Southeast wind will continue, but a strong low level jet will lead
to wind shear. Based on the forecast trends, could see heavy snow
begin closer to 12Z instead of the 15Z that is currently in the
Tafs.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
TUE...Snow ending early. MVFR/IFR possible. Wind NE-N at 15G25kt.
WED...VFR with MVFR possible. Wind NW at 10G15kt.
THU...VFR. Wind NW 5-10kts.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Winter Storm Warning from 6 AM Monday to 6 AM CST Tuesday for
     WIZ014-015-023>026.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM Monday to noon CST Tuesday for
     WIZ016-027-028.

MN...Winter Storm Warning from 6 AM Monday to 6 AM CST Tuesday for
     MNZ041>045-049>053-058>063-066>070-076>078-085.

     Winter Weather Advisory from 6 AM Monday to 6 AM CST Tuesday for
     MNZ047-048-055>057-065-075-083-084-092-093.

&&

SHORT TERM...SPD
LONG TERM...JRB
AVIATION...JRB

Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 4, 3:27 PM CST, 5 hours 33 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
327 PM CST Sun Mar 4 2018

MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
052130-
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Chisago-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-
Kandiyohi-Meeker-Wright-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-
Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Carver-Scott-Dakota-
Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Watonwan-Blue Earth-
Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-Polk-Barron-Rusk-
St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Eau Claire-
327 PM CST Sun Mar 4 2018

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central and
southern Minnesota...and west central Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...This Afternoon and Tonight

Rain will change over to a wintry mix and snow later tonight which
could cause slick roads.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday

Heavy snow is expected to develop Monday morning and persist into
Monday night along the I-94 and I-35 corridors. Northeast winds
will gust near 40 mph at times. Winter storm warnings and
advisories are in effect.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

SKYWARN spotter activation will not be needed.

jrb

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

36 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Douglas

When: March 4, 9:00 PM CST to March 5, 3:00 PM CST
Where: Douglas forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.934, -95.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended Monday afternoon, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, McLeod

When: March 4, 10:00 PM CST to March 5, 10:00 PM CST
Where: McLeod forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.824, -94.272 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and freezing drizzle at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred Monday afternoon through early Monday evening. The measurable snowfall ended Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Morrison

When: March 4, 10:00 PM CST to March 5, 9:00 PM CST
Where: Morrison forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 46.013, -94.268 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 10 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred Monday morning where up to 6 inches fell. The measurable snowfall ended early Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Sibley

When: March 4, 10:00 PM CST to March 5, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Sibley forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.580, -94.232 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 5 to 7 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet, rain and patchy freezing rain at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred early to late Monday afternoon. The measurable snowfall ended early Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Stearns

When: March 4, 10:00 PM CST to March 5, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Stearns forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.552, -94.613 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 8 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Todd

When: March 4, 10:00 PM CST to March 5, 9:00 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, Anoka

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Anoka forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.273, -93.246 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Benton

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 10:00 PM CST
Where: Benton forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.699, -93.999 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 8 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Blue Earth

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 6:00 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)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and rain during the first batch of precipitation Monday morning. Not until the afternoon when a secondary wave of precipitation developed, did the precipitation change over to mostly snow. Some thunder-snow also occurred in the afternoon with snowfall rates of 1-2 inches per hour. The measurable snowfall ended by Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Carver

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Carver forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.821, -93.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 9 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Chisago

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Chisago forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.503, -92.908 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Dakota

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Dakota forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.672, -93.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 9 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snowfall occurred between 3 pm and 8 pm Monday evening. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Hennepin

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Hennepin forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.005, -93.477 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 7 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow fell between 5 pm and 8 pm Monday evening. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Isanti

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Isanti forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.562, -93.295 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Le Sueur

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 9:00 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)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 8 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet, rain and patchy freezing rain at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred early to late Monday afternoon. The measurable snowfall ended early Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Nicollet

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 7:00 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, Rice

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 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 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Scott forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.649, -93.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 9 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred between 3 pm and 8 pm. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Sherburne

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 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, Steele

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 7:00 PM CST
Where: Steele forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.022, -93.226 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 7 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet, rain and patchy freezing rain at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred early to late Monday afternoon. The measurable snowfall ended early Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Waseca

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 7:00 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, Wright

When: March 4, 11:00 PM CST to March 5, 11:00 PM CST
Where: Wright forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.174, -93.963 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow fell between 6 pm and 9 pm Monday evening. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Chippewa

When: March 5, 12:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Chippewa forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.022, -95.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 8 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred late Monday morning, and abruptly ending by the mid/late afternoon. The measurable snowfall ended early Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Goodhue

When: March 5, 12:00 AM CST to March 6, 12:00 AM CST
Where: Goodhue forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.410, -92.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 8 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow fell between 3 pm and 8 pm Monday evening. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Kanabec

When: March 5, 12:00 AM CST to 11:00 PM CST
Where: Kanabec forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.945, -93.293 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially early Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The measurable snowfall ended late Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Mille Lacs

When: March 5, 12:00 AM CST to 11:00 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)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 8 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet and patchy freezing rain at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred late Monday morning, and abruptly ending by the mid/late afternoon. The measurable snowfall ended early Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Ramsey

When: March 5, 12:00 AM CST to 11:00 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, Washington

When: March 5, 12:00 AM CST to 11:00 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, Stevens

When: March 5, 1:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Stevens forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.586, -96.000 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 7 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. The heaviest snow occurred mid to late Monday morning, and abruptly ending by the mid afternoon. An isolated 10 inch total was measured in the far western part of the county. Light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning, but the measurable snowfall had ended.

Winter Storm, Swift

When: March 5, 1:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Swift forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.283, -95.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 9 inches of snowfall in the western part of the county. The heaviest snow occurred mid to late Monday morning, and abruptly ending by the mid afternoon. Light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning, but the measurable snowfall had ended.

Winter Storm, Redwood

When: March 5, 6:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Redwood forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.404, -95.254 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 9 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the main band of heavy snow occurred between 9 am and 4 pm. The measurable snowfall ended abruptly Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Yellow Medicine

When: March 5, 6:00 AM CST to 7:00 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)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 6 to 9 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. The heaviest snow occurred mid to late Monday morning, and abruptly ending by the mid afternoon. Light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning, but the measurable snowfall had ended.

Winter Storm, Lac Qui Parle

When: March 5, 7:00 AM CST to 7:00 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, Renville

When: March 5, 7:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Renville forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.727, -94.947 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the main band of heavy snow occurred between 9 am and 4 pm. The measurable snowfall ended abruptly Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Brown

When: March 5, 8:00 AM CST to 7:00 PM CST
Where: Brown forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 44.242, -94.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 6 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the main band of heavy snow occurred between 10 am and 5 pm. The measurable snowfall ended abruptly Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

Winter Storm, Kandiyohi

When: March 5, 9:00 AM CST to 9:00 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi forecast zone
Reported by: Trained Spotter
Coordinates: 45.152, -95.005 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Numerous reports of trained spotters, local media, and the public received locally 4 to 8 inches of snowfall during this winter storm. However, the storm also produced sleet at times, especially Monday morning as temperatures aloft were warm enough for the mixture of precipitation. The heaviest snow occurred late Monday morning, and abruptly ending by the late afternoon. The measurable snowfall ended early Monday evening, but light snow and flurries continued through Tuesday morning.

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 2018 Every state in 2018 This day in weather history Warnings in Minnesota, March 2018

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: 733505, 733513, 733515, 733523, 733524, 733528, 733497, 733498, 733499, 733501, 733503, 733504, 733507, 733508, 733512, 733516, 733520, 733521, 733522, 733525, 733529, 733531, 733502, 733506, 733509, 733514, 733517, 733530, 733526, 733527, 733518, 733532, 733511, 733519, 733500, 733510.