Blizzard in Minnesota, February 24, 2019

Name: Blizzard in Minnesota, February 24, 2019
Start: 2019-02-24T00:00
End: 2019-02-24T18:00
Location: Minnesota

February 24, 2019 · NWS MPX · 26 events in 26 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 26 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: 26

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 powerful storm system that brought blizzard conditions to a wide area of southern and central Minnesota, as well as adjacent west central Wisconsin, developed early Saturday morning in the southern Rockies. The storm moved out into the Plains of Kansas Saturday morning, February 23th, and tracked northeast to northern Missouri by the afternoon. The storm kept steady during this time frame, but intensified rapidly during the evening and overnight period of Saturday and Sunday, February 23rd and 24th. The storm dropped 20 millibars from Saturday evening, through Sunday morning as it moved from northern Missouri, to the northern Great Lakes.

Snow began in southern Minnesota Saturday afternoon February 23th, and ended Sunday morning. The heaviest snowfall occurred from south of Blue Earth (Faribault County), to Faribault, and Hastings in Minnesota, and to River Falls, and Rice Lake in west central Wisconsin. These areas received between 6 and 12 inches of snow, with localized areas of 12+ inches.

Roads began to close in south central Minnesota before 10 PM CST, Saturday, February 23rd. As winds increased during the night, and Sunday morning, several other roads, including I-35 & I-90 closed due to impassable conditions. The road closures extended northward across portions of southwest, west central and southeast Minnesota as winds increased and snow drifted over the road Sunday. Several social media pictures indicated that snow drifts were as high as 20 feet in some locations in southern Minnesota. Even military vehicles that are made for deep snow, became stuck.

Wind speeds started to increase late Saturday night, and peaked Sunday, and slowly subsided Sunday afternoon and evening as the storm system moved out of the region. However, some roads in south central Minnesota remained closed through Monday as snow plows reported drifts in excess of 20 feet.

During the height of the storm, the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management tallied approximately 600 stranded travelers who were rescued off of snow-filled ditches, drifted shut roads, and snowbanks.

Troopers and the Minnesota Department of Transportation officials worked near 24 hours straight to get stranded motorists out of the Straight River rest stop along I-35 south of Owatonna. In Blue Earth County, 150 vehicles were reported off the roads, some were rescued. Seven vehicles were reported off the road in Red Wing. In Freeborn County, crews worked to rescue nine people from two trains stuck on tracks. As individuals were rescued, numerous shelters were opened across southern Minnesota.

The following was the breakdown of the rescues across southern Minnesota;

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 Feb 23, 9:24 PM CST, 2 hours 36 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Feb 23, 9:24 PM CST, 2 hours 36 minutes before

Area Forecast Discussion...UPDATED
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
924 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

.UPDATE...
Issued at 924 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

...DANGEROUS WINTER STORM UNDERWAY...SEVERAL ROADS CLOSED ACROSS
SOUTHERN MINNESOTA...

A well developed intense band of snow is now in place from
southern MN into west central WI. Rates of 2 inches per hour are
occurring in some places. Embedded lightning strikes and reports
of thundersnow have been received this evening as well.

The forecast is in good shape with only a few minor updates
needed. The biggest change was to increase snow amounts across
portions of south central MN where Albert Lea came in with 5
inches in 2.5 hours. The 12+ inch snowfall contour was expanded
southward to include this area. Also increased snowfall amounts
slightly on the western edge of the band where models have
consistently been showing 0.25" QPF as far west as the metro. We
should see 3-4 inches along I-35 from the Twin Cities northward with
amounts dropping off to the west. The wedge of dry air evident on
radar from Mankato northeast into northwest WI should close in
during the next couple hours.

With the slightly higher snow totals and wind gusts expected to
reach 50 mph, upgraded the advisory to a Winter Storm Warning from
the Twin Cities northward to Chisago County. Also expanded the
Blizzard Warning to St. Croix County. If the signal on forecast
soundings of 50 kts at the top of the boundary layer pans out,
Blizzard Warnings may need to be expanded eastward to Eau Claire.
After collaboration with WFOs ARX and GRB, decided to hold off on
expanding these warnings eastward into central Wisconsin during
this evening shift.

&&

.SHORT TERM...(This evening through Sunday night)
Issued at 420 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

The forecast continue to remain on track for a major winter storm
to impact the area tonight and tomorrow, with snowfall amounts of
10-14 inches expected from south-central Minnesota through
western Wisconsin, and ground blizzard conditions developing
tonight and tomorrow across open areas of western and southern
Minnesota as winds gust as high as 45-50 mph.

Synoptically, a negatively-tilted trough is digging across the
central US this afternoon, with a surface low currently located
over southern Kansas deepening under the entrance region of a 130+
kt jet. This low will rapidly deepen tonight and tomorrow as it
tracks through eastern Iowa, over northern Lake Michigan, and
finally into eastern Ontario. Currently analyzed at 996 mb and
forecast to bottom out at 970-972 mb tomorrow afternoon, this
would reach the definition for "bombogenesis", a fairly rare feat
for lows over land and testament to the impressive kinematics with
this system. Impressive warm air advection and associated
frontogenesis through 500 mb will allow an intense, but narrow,
band of snow to develop in the wrap-around region northwest of the
low and models continue to be consistent with the track of the
700 mb low, placing this feature from northern Iowa, through
south-central and southeastern Minnesota, and up into northern
Wisconsin and the UP of Michigan. While the track has remained
consistent, trends today have been to increase the amount of QPF
in the main band of snow with hi-resolution models picking up on
some of the subtle mesoscale processes involved. Have increased
snowfall amounts to 10-14" within this heaviest band of snow and
tightened the snowfall gradient on the north and west side of this
band to account for subsidence outside of the TROWAL. Snow has
already started across southwest Minnesota and will continue to
spread northeast tonight. the heaviest snowfall is expected
between 6 PM and 6 AM tomorrow where snowfall rates of 1" per hour
look likely in the heaviest band of snow and periods of 2" per
hour are not out of the question. Snowfall should cease across MN
by 6 AM and be completely out of our area into northern Wisconsin
by noon. Temperatures will begin to plummet behind the snow as
strong low- level cold-air advection develops, temperatures are
expected to drop below zero by Sunday night.

As stated earlier, the rapid deepening of this system will be
quite impressive and will result in gusty northwest winds
developing behind the low as the pressure gradient tightens
across the area and cold-air advection steepens the low-level
lapse rates. Forecast soundings continue to show the potential for
winds of 45-50 mph mixing down to the surface Sunday morning and
afternoon. With recent snowfall of 6-12" and a deep snowpack in
place, these winds are expected to result in ground blizzard
conditions across open areas of western and southern Minnesota,
and even into parts of western Wisconsin. Have expanded the
blizzard warning along I-90 into western Minnesota for these
ground blizzard conditions, even though little new snowfall from
tonight's system is expected. Further east, have issued a winter
weather advisory for the core of the twin Cities metro north into
central Minnesota. Winds are expected to be weaker here and while
widespread blowing snow is anticipated, conditions are not
expected tor each blizzard criteria. These dangerous travel
conditions are expected to last throughout the day on Sunday,
before winds finally weaken Sunday night. To re-emphasize, travel
will be extremely hazardous in areas under the blizzard warning
tomorrow and I would not at all be surprised to see portions of
major highways/interstates closed at some point during the day.

.LONG TERM...(Monday through Saturday)
Issued at 420 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

The long term period will bring well below normal temperatures, but
also a reprieve from significant winter storms. While there is a
chance for snow early in the week, this will be to modest lift along
a slow moving baroclinic zone with low end snowfall potential.

By tomorrow night, cold air advection will be in full swing across
MN and WI as the deep cyclone continues eastward across southern
Canada north of the Great Lakes. Very strong winds from the storm
will be on a decreasing trend tomorrow evening, but still expect
breezy conditions through at least midnight with speeds around 20 to
30 MPH in the evening, but less than 20MPH after midnight. Blowing
snow issues should really be done by at least midnight for most
areas. Temperatures are expected to drop into the single digits
below zero across the south, with teens below zero for central MN.
This, combined with wind speeds around 10-15 MPH by Monday morning
will lead to wind chill values in the -25 to -35 range across the
area by daybreak Monday.

As the main jet lifts north Monday and Tuesday, the baroclinic zone
will lift into southern MN with modest forcing thanks to broad warm
air advection and isentropic lift.  Light snow is possible Tuesday
with this activity but kept QPF low given modest lift.

Temperatures do trend slightly warmer (but still around 10 degrees
below normal) for Thursday-Friday but the guidance is continuing to
show very good agreement in a large upper level trough bringing much
colder than normal temperatures in for next weekend and likely
lasting through the following week.

&&

.AVIATION...(For the 00Z TAFS through 00Z Sunday evening)
Issued at 740 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

Snow is building northeastward across southern MN into parts of
west central WI this evening. Expecting heavy snow though this
corridor for much of the night, with even a chance for thunder.
VLIFR conditions expected. Further northwest, light snow expected
from MKT up through MSP and northwest WI. Could see visibilities
drop to less than a mile at times here. Little or no snow expected
northwest of RWF to STC. Strong northwest winds will develop
overnight and Sunday, with gusts of 40-45 kts. Widespread blowing
snow expected, but visibilities at the airports are a bit
uncertain. Expecting a large part of the day less than a mile vis
south of I-94.

KMSP...The snow is trying to work in from the south and should
reach the terminal between 03-04Z. Steady snow expected for the
early overnight hours before tapering off about 10Z. 3 to 4
inches are expected.

/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
Mon...VFR. Wind NW 5 kts.
Tue...MVFR with -sn possible. Wind ESE 5 kts.

&&

.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
WI...Blizzard Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for WIZ023>026.

     Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for WIZ014>016-027-
     028.

MN...Blizzard Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for MNZ067-069-070-
     074>078-082>085-091>093.

     Blizzard Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for MNZ041-042-047>049-
     051-054>059-064>066-068-073.

     Winter Weather Advisory until 6 PM CST Sunday for MNZ043>045-050-
     052.

     Winter Storm Warning until 6 PM CST Sunday for MNZ053-060>063.

&&

UPDATE...BORGHOFF
SHORT TERM...ETA
LONG TERM...SPD
AVIATION...BORGHOFF

Hazardous weather outlook, Feb 23, 8:03 PM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook...UPDATED
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
803 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

MNZ041>045-047>052-054>059-064>066-073-250215-
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-
Benton-Sherburne-Isanti-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-
Meeker-Wright-Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Redwood-
803 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Minnesota...east central Minnesota...southwest Minnesota and west
central Minnesota.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Widespread blowing snow is expected beginning late tonight.
Please see the latest Winter Weather Statement for more
information.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Gusty northwest winds of up to 50 mph will develop by Sunday
morning. Widespread blowing snow is expected Sunday, with
blizzard conditions expected in open areas. Please see the latest
Winter Weather Statement for more information.

Additional accumulating snowfall is possible Monday and Tuesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters and snowfall observers are urged to report snowfall
amounts to the National Weather Service.

MNZ053-060>063-067>070-074>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028-
250215-
Chisago-Hennepin-Anoka-Ramsey-Washington-Sibley-Carver-Scott-
Dakota-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur-Rice-Goodhue-Watonwan-Blue Earth-
Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn-Polk-Barron-Rusk-
St. Croix-Pierce-Dunn-Pepin-Chippewa-Eau Claire-
803 PM CST Sat Feb 23 2019

This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central
Minnesota...east central Minnesota...south central Minnesota...
southeast Minnesota...northwest Wisconsin and west central
Wisconsin.

.DAY ONE...Tonight

Heavy snow will will continue overnight across most of southern
and eastern Minnesota into western Wisconsin. There is also a
chance of thunderstorms southeast of a line from Mankato to Rice
Lake. Please see the latest Winter Weather Statement for more
information.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday

Gusty northwest winds of up to 50 mph will develop by Sunday
morning. Widespread blowing snow is expected Sunday, with
blizzard conditions expected in open areas. Please see the latest
Winter Weather Statement for more information.

Additional accumulating snowfall is possible Monday and Tuesday.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

Spotters and snowfall observers are urged to report snowfall
amounts to the National Weather Service.

Borghoff

In the hours before

Local storm report, Feb 23, 8:20 PM CST, 3 hours 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
820 PM CST SAT FEB 23 2019

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

0755 PM     SNOW             ALBERT LEA              43.65N 93.37W
02/23/2019  M5.0 INCH        FREEBORN           MN   BROADCAST MEDIA

            MEASUREMENT WITH PHOTO SENT VIA TWEET. SNOW
            FELL BETWEEN 5:30PM AND 8:00PM.

&&

CTG

Local storm report, Feb 23, 9:37 PM CST, 2 hours 23 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
937 PM CST SAT FEB 23 2019

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

0930 PM     SNOW             ALBERT LEA              43.65N 93.37W
02/23/2019  M6.0 INCH        FREEBORN           MN   BROADCAST MEDIA

            SNOWFALL SINCE 530 PM.

&&

BORGHOFF

Local storm report, Feb 23, 10:03 PM CST, 1 hour 57 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1003 PM CST SAT FEB 23 2019

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

1000 PM     HEAVY SNOW       5 S LEMOND              43.91N 93.39W
02/23/2019  M8.0 INCH        STEELE             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STORM TOTAL SINCE 530 PM.

&&

Local storm report, Feb 23, 11:35 PM CST, 25 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1135 PM CST SAT FEB 23 2019

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

1100 PM     SNOW             WASECA                  44.08N 93.50W
02/23/2019  M4.0 INCH        WASECA             MN   TRAINED SPOTTER

            STILL SNOWNING.

&&

JRB

Local storm report, Feb 23, 11:36 PM CST, 24 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
1136 PM CST SAT FEB 23 2019

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

1135 PM     SNOW             RED WING                44.56N 92.53W
02/23/2019  M5.5 INCH        GOODHUE            MN   PUBLIC

            IN 4.5 HOURS, AND STILL SNOWING, RECEIVED
            VIA SOCIAL MEDIA.

&&

JRB

The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

26 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.

Blizzard, Freeborn

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Freeborn forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 43.674, -93.349 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed, including I-35 in the county. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, heavy snowfall Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 8 to 12 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 11.5 inches near Albert Lea.

Blizzard, Steele

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Steele forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.022, -93.226 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, heavy snowfall Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 6 to 11 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 11.0 inches near Ellendale.

Blizzard, Faribault

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Faribault forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 43.674, -93.948 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed. Some of the roads, including I-90, closed as early as 10 PM CST on Saturday, February 23rd. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, moderate to heavy snow fell late Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 6 to 7 inches across the southeast part of the county. There was a measured report of 7.2 inches near Bricelyn.

Blizzard, Martin

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Martin forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 43.674, -94.551 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed. Some of the roads, including I-90, closed as early as 10 PM CST on Saturday, February 23rd. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, light snow fell late Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Sibley

When: February 24, 12:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Sibley forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.580, -94.232 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Waseca

When: February 24, 1:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Waseca forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.022, -93.587 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed, along with several car accidents. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, moderate to heavy snow fell Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 8 inches in the far southeast portion of Waseca County.

Blizzard, Blue Earth

When: February 24, 1:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Blue Earth forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.035, -94.067 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning and afternoon, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Nicollet

When: February 24, 1:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Nicollet forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.350, -94.247 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Brown

When: February 24, 1:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Brown forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.242, -94.727 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Watonwan

When: February 24, 1:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Watonwan forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 43.978, -94.614 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Le Sueur

When: February 24, 2:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Le Sueur forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.371, -93.730 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning and afternoon, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Redwood

When: February 24, 2:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Redwood forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.404, -95.254 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Renville

When: February 24, 2:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Renville forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.727, -94.947 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Goodhue

When: February 24, 5:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Goodhue forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.410, -92.723 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the day, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, heavy snowfall Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 6 to 11 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 11.2 inches near Zumbrota.

Blizzard, McLeod

When: February 24, 6:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: McLeod forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.824, -94.272 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing Sunday morning, February 24th. A few roads closed by Sunday afternoon afternoon due to white out conditions. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 45 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Rice

When: February 24, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Rice forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.354, -93.297 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local wind sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the afternoon, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 45 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, moderate to heavy snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 7 inches in the far southeast portion of Rice County.

Blizzard, Dakota

When: February 24, 9:00 AM CST to 6:00 PM CST
Where: Dakota forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.672, -93.065 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning and afternoon, with a few roads closed, along with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 45 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 3 to 5 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 5.2 inches near Miesville.

Blizzard, Scott

When: February 24, 9:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Scott forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.649, -93.536 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the afternoon with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Carver

When: February 24, 9:00 AM CST to 5:00 PM CST
Where: Carver forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.821, -93.803 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 1 to 3 inches across the county.

Blizzard, Meeker

When: February 24, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Meeker forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.123, -94.527 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard, Kandiyohi

When: February 24, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Kandiyohi forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.152, -95.005 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard, Yellow Medicine

When: February 24, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Yellow Medicine forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.716, -95.868 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard, Chippewa

When: February 24, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Chippewa forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.022, -95.567 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard, Lac Qui Parle

When: February 24, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Lac Qui Parle forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 44.996, -96.173 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard, Stevens

When: February 24, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Stevens forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.586, -96.000 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard, Swift

When: February 24, 11:00 AM CST to 4:00 PM CST
Where: Swift forecast zone
Reported by: Department of Highways
Coordinates: 45.283, -95.681 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

What these are

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 2019 Every state in 2019 This day in weather history Warnings in Minnesota, February 2019

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: 802899, 802901, 802903, 803612, 803617, 802905, 803591, 803602, 803606, 803610, 803588, 803622, 803624, 803573, 803636, 802907, 803577, 803644, 803651, 803656, 803658, 803659, 803660, 803661, 805066, 805067.