On Wednesday, December 23rd, blizzard conditions were observed across much of Minnesota as an intense weather system moved from west to east through the region. It produced several inches of snow with rates as high as 1-2 inches per hour at times, with a bit of rain falling ahead of the snow which led to ice-covered roadways.
Every event with a place to put it; 42 filed by county or forecast zone are drawn at its center, in a lighter ring. Tap one for its entry below.
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.
The episode as NWS MPX wrote it up.
On Wednesday, December 23rd, blizzard conditions were observed across much of Minnesota as an intense weather system moved from west to east through the region. It produced several inches of snow with rates as high as 1-2 inches per hour at times, with a bit of rain falling ahead of the snow which led to ice-covered roadways. Temperatures plummeted with strong winds gusting as high as 50-65 mph out of the northwest behind the low-pressure system. Temperatures reached as high as the mid-40s during the morning before bottoming out in the single digits above zero to near zero by midnight.
A robust mid to upper-level trough approaching the region continued to strengthen before closing off, with a surface response in the form of a deepening low-pressure system. This combined with incredible mid-level lapse rates to produce significant lift and widespread precipitation, with an intense pressure gradient resulting in strong winds as the system moved eastwards.
Winds intensified alongside bands of heavy snow during the afternoon, which resulted in widespread blizzard conditions as visibilities dropped below 1/4 mile across the region and remained low for several hours. Snowfall diminished during the evening and into early Thursday morning but winds remained strong enough to support blizzard conditions into mid-morning Thursday in some spots.
Some of the higher wind speeds and snowfall totals during this event included:
Redwood Falls AP, 68 MPH |Crystal AP, 66 MPH |Madison AP, 63 MPH|Montevideo AP, 62 MPH |5 miles south of Marietta, 62 MPH |Fairmont AP, 61 MPH |2 miles west of Clara City, 61 MPH |Appleton AP, 60 MPH |Winsted, 58 MPH |Benson AP, 58 MPH |Granite Falls AP, 58 MPH |Minneapolis-St. Paul AP, 58 MPH
2 miles west of Coon Rapids, 9.5 inches|4 miles southeast of East Bethel, 9.5 inches |2 miles west of Excelsior, 9.0 inches |2 miles southwest of Maple Grove, 9.0 inches|Cannon Falls, 9.0 inches |MSP International Airport, 8.8 inches |1 mile west of Carver, 8.4 inches |NWS Chanhassen, 8.2 inches
Impacts included significant slowdowns to air travel at airports across the region including MSP, ice and snow-covered roads that led to no travel orders and closed highways, and even National Guard rescues at the Governor's request. This was exacerbated due to the timing of the system falling on December 23rd, which is one of the busiest overall travel days of the year before the holidays.
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 Dec 23, 5:03 AM CST, 3 hours 57 minutes earlier.
Area Forecast Discussion
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
503 AM CST Wed Dec 23 2020
.UPDATE...For 12Z Aviation discussion below
&&
.SHORT TERM...(Today through Thursday)
Issued at 432 AM CST Wed Dec 23 2020
Confidence continues to increase for a very impactful event today
and tonight, with high winds gusting up to 60 mph; heavy snow; and a
dramatic temperature drop, leading to a flash freeze and rapidly
deteriorating conditions this afternoon. 00Z Guidance continues the
trend of tracking a deepening surface low pressure across southern
Minnesota into Wisconsin, with the deformation zone overhead. Low
level moisture is increasing ahead of the low pressure with light
rain expected to develop by mid morning across eastern Minnesota.
and snow across western Minnesota. Temperatures are currently in the
upper 30s to lower 40s, by 12Z the cold front will be near the MN/SD
state line, and advance east of the I-35 corridor by 18Z.
Temperatures will plummet into the teens behind the front. A flash
freeze scenario is also expected. Precipitation is expected to
transition to snow by 18Z for the Twin Cities and 20Z across west-
central Wisconsin. Thus, travel will become extremely dangerous
during this afternoon.
Deterministic models and ensembles have rapidly narrowed in
agreement with higher QPF across the entire forecast area. 00Z GEFS
have a mean of 0.9" and EPS of 0.7" QPF in the Twin Cities. Solution
consensus brings the TROWAL back toward central Minnesota as the
500mb trough becomes more neutral-tilt this afternoon. With a TROWAL
developing and strong low to mid level frontogenesis, heavy snowfall
rates will be possible. 00z HREF ensemble has a few hours in the
late afternoon to evening with over 70 percent probability of 1" in
an hour and up to 40 percent for 2" an hour. With winds gusting as
high as 55 mph possible, blowing snow and heavy snowfall rates will
create blizzard conditions across portions of western, and south
central Minnesota.
With the trend of higher QPF in the ensembles, I increased snowfall
amounts across the board, with the heaviest band expected over the
western Twin Cities metro up towards Duluth. There is still some
uncertainty on the exact location of the heaviest snow so a minor
shift could occur as the forecast evolves this morning, but the
window for a significant shift or change is closing quickly. The
current forecast has an area of 5 to 9" on a line from Mankato to
the Twin Cities and north along I-35. I would not be surprised to
see some locally higher amounts where the precipitation band sets
up and pivots with the sfc low/upper trough.
Winds pick up mid afternoon and be impressive. Very effective mixing
and an unstable boundary layer could bring 50+kt wind gusts down to
the surface. Forecast soundings from western Minnesota show 60+ kt
winds at the top of the mixed layer, with gusts up to 60 mph
possible in western MN. With greater confidence in higher snowfall
amounts today, I expanded the Blizzard warning to include Steele and
Freeborn counties. The Winter Storm warning was expanded to include
Polk, Barron, St. Croix, Pierce, and Goodhue counties for 3 to 6" of
snow and blowing snow likely. The remainder of the Winter Storm
watch was transitioned to a Winter Weather advisory.
Tonight lows will bottom out in the single digits below zero with
wind chills as low as -30 below zero. Precipitation will end rather
quick after midnight and remain dry through Thursday. Skies will
begin to scatter Thursday morning with temperatures hovering near
zero into the afternoon hours. Travel will likely remain impacted
due to the very cold temperatures and blowing snow overnight. Please
remain weather aware this afternoon for the latest forecast updates
and avoid any unnecessary travel if possible.
.LONG TERM...(Thursday through Wednesday)
Issued at 432 AM CST Wed Dec 23 2020
The long term starts out with the coldest air of the season upon us,
and then we moderate back to near-normal temperatures as we await
the next potential pre-holiday winter storm system.
Wind chills on Thursday morning will likely necessitate a Wind Chill
Advisory for at least the MN portion of the forecast area. Highs on
Thursday look to struggle to warm out of the single digits as weak
cold air advection persists under north/northwest flow. As
Wednesday's system continues to lift east, some scattered light snow
showers will remain possible over west central WI, along with patchy
blowing snow area-wide.
Thursday night will be another cold night, as the anticipated fresh
snowpack combines with light winds and clear skies to bring sub-zero
lows area-wide.
Friday and Saturday, temps warm back up slightly closer to late-
December normals, with highs generally in the 20s. Sunday into the
upcoming week the ridge flattens and the flow pattern becomes more
semi-zonal. There could be a few blips of light snow during this
timeframe, but overall dry weather is more likely until around
December 30th. While the track/timing varies somewhat, the majority
of longer-range models feature a storm system nosing into the Upper
Midwest around Wednesday of next week. This system looks to
have the potential to be our next notable snow-maker.
&&
.AVIATION...(For the 12Z TAFS through 12Z Thursday morning)
Issued at 503 AM CST Wed Dec 23 2020
Ceilings will degrade to MVFR quickly this morning, as a dynamic low
pressure system arrives. IFR ceilings will then become prevalent this
afternoon, with LIFR/VLIFR conditions at times attendant with snow
into this evening. The precipitation will start as rain at east
central MN/west central WI sites for a couple hours before
transitioning to snow as temperatures plummet. Snowfall rates of 1-2
inches per hour with visibility reductions to 1/4SM appear likely,
particularly over central/east central MN. Northwest winds sustained
at 25 to 35 mph with gusts into the 50s will further reduce
visibility and bring blowing snow concerns as well. VFR ceilings
return overnight, but winds look to stay up enough to bring patchy
blowing snow into Thursday.
KMSP...MVFR ceilings and rain will develop early by 15Z, then
transition fairly quickly to snow around 18Z as temperatures
drop. Confidence in a band of heavy snow developing this afternoon
with 1-2 inch per hour rates remains steady from the previous
forecast. Blowing snow and occasional visibility reductions down to
1/8SM also appear possible with 45-50 kt gusts.
/OUTLOOK FOR KMSP/
Thu...MVFR cigs expected. Wind NW 15-25 kts.
Fri...VFR. Wind W around 10 kts becoming SW.
Sat...VFR. Wind light/variable.
&&
.MPX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES...
MN...Blizzard Warning from noon today to 6 AM CST Thursday for Blue
Earth-Brown-Carver-Faribault-Freeborn-Le Sueur-Martin-McLeod-
Mille Lacs-Nicollet-Sherburne-Sibley-Steele-Waseca-Watonwan-
Wright.
Blizzard Warning until 6 AM CST Thursday for Chippewa-Douglas-Lac
Qui Parle-Pope-Stevens-Swift-Yellow Medicine.
Blizzard Warning from 10 AM this morning to 6 AM CST Thursday for
Benton-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Morrison-Redwood-Renville-Stearns-Todd.
Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 6 AM CST Thursday
for Anoka-Chisago-Dakota-Goodhue-Hennepin-Isanti-Kanabec-
Ramsey-Rice-Scott-Washington.
WI...Winter Storm Warning from 1 PM this afternoon to 6 AM CST Thursday
for Barron-Pierce-Polk-St. Croix.
Winter Weather Advisory from 3 PM this afternoon to 6 AM CST
Thursday for Chippewa-Dunn-Eau Claire-Pepin-Rusk.
&&
SHORT TERM...BPH
LONG TERM...LS
AVIATION...LSHazardous Weather Outlook National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 324 AM CST Wed Dec 23 2020 MNZ041>045-047>070-073>078-082>085-091>093-WIZ014>016-023>028- 240930- 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- 324 AM CST Wed Dec 23 2020 This Hazardous Weather Outlook is for portions of central and southern Minnesota, and west central Wisconsin. .DAY ONE...Today and Tonight. A significant change in the weather is coming on today. Confidence is high in strong northwest winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts over 55 mph possible in western Minnesota. In addition to the wind and cold, the likelihood for 4+ inches is increasing with locally 6+ inches possible. Blizzard conditions and blowing snow is possible for much of the forecast area. Temperatures will start out around 30 degrees, and fall throughout the day, going below zero overnight. Wind chill values of -20 to -30 are likely tonight. Blizzard and Winter Storm Warnings are in effect for much of the area. A Winter Weather Advisory is in effect for portions of west-central Wisconsin. Please check our website for the latest headlines in your specific area. .DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Thursday through Tuesday. Temperatures will top out in the single digits Thursday afternoon, going below zero again Thursday night. Wind chill values of -20 to -30 are possible Thursday morning. .SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT... Spotters and snowfall observers are encouraged to report snowfall amounts to the National Weather Service.
The national radar mosaic for the moment the first event began.
42 blizzard. Local standard time, as filed.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the afternoon. Sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts to 60 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the afternoon. Sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts to 60 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the afternoon. Sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts to 60 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the early evening. Sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts to 60 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the early evening. Sustained winds of 35 to 45 mph, with gusts to 60 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the afternoon. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 50 to 55 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the afternoon. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 50 to 55 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed Wednesday morning and continued into the late afternoon. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts to 45 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed late Wednesday morning and continued into the early evening. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 60 to 65 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county. The worst conditions were over the southwest part of the county.
Blizzard conditions developed late Wednesday morning and continued into the early evening. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 50 to 55 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed late Wednesday morning and continued into the early evening. Sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 50 to 55 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed late Wednesday morning and continued into the early evening. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts to 50 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed late Wednesday morning and continued into the early evening. Sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph, with gusts to 50 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
Blizzard conditions developed late Wednesday morning and continued into the late afternoon. Sustained winds of 25 to 30 mph, with gusts to 45 mph, combined with snowfall to cause whiteout conditions across the county.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the southeast part of the county. By early to mid-afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the mid-late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 50 to 55 mph were frequently achieved by the late afternoon.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the mid-late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph were frequently achieved by the late afternoon.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the mid-late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the mid-late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the mid-late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the mid-late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the mid-late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the south part of the county. By mid to late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 35 to 40 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. By the mid to late afternoon, strong winds developed and caused whiteout conditions. Gusts of 40 to 45 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event. The worst conditions occurred in the southwest part of the county where it is more open vs. the urban areas.
A mixture of rain, freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. By the mid to late afternoon, strong winds developed and caused whiteout conditions. Gusts of 40 to 45 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event. The worst conditions occurred in the western part of the county where it is more open vs. the urban areas to the east.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the south part of the county. By mid to late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 35 to 40 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of freezing rain, sleet, and snow started late Wednesday morning across the south part of the county. By mid to late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Gusts of 35 to 40 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of rain and freezing rain developed around noon. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph were frequently achieved by the late afternoon.
A mixture of rain, sleet, and freezing rain developed around noon. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation to all snow. By the late afternoon, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
A mixture of rain and sleet started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. By the mid to late afternoon, strong winds developed and caused whiteout conditions. Gusts of 40 to 45 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
A mixture of rain and freezing rain, started late Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. By the mid to late afternoon, strong winds developed and caused whiteout conditions. Gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the event.
Mainly a mixture of rain and sleet fell Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived by the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Mainly a mixture of rain and sleet fell early Wednesday afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived by the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Mainly rain fell Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived by the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
A mixture of rain and freezing rain started Wednesday afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 50 to 55 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Due to the ice, snow, and high winds, several jurisdictions lost electricity due to downed power poles and lines. Faribault County’s electrical infrastructure experienced significant damage. Estimated costs were around 120k.
Mainly rain fell Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived by the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Mainly rain fell Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived by the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 30 to 35 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
A mixture of rain and sleet started Wednesday afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Mainly rain fell Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived by the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Mainly rain fell Wednesday morning across the county. As much colder air arrived by the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed the mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Mainly rain fell Wednesday morning and early afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived during the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 35 to 40 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
Mainly rain fell Wednesday morning and early afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived during the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blizzard conditions developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 25 to 40 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.
After NWS Directive 10-1605, the rules offices file Storm Data by.
Every storm in Minnesota in 2020Every state in 2020This day in weather historyWarnings in Minnesota, December 2020
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: 926354, 926355, 926356, 926357, 926358, 927953, 927959, 928017, 928013, 928014, 928015, 928016, 928018, 928019, 928033, 928020, 928021, 928025, 928026, 928027, 928028, 928030, 928034, 928036, 928037, 928781, 928782, 928022, 928024, 928039, 928040, 928050, 928780, 928049, 928023, 928045, 928778, 928043, 928044, 928047, and more.