Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 31, 2023

Name: Winter Storm in Wisconsin, March 31, 2023
Start: 2023-03-31T20:00
End: 2023-03-31T23:59
Location: Wisconsin

March 31, 2023 · NWS MPX · 8 events in 8 counties and zones

Where it happened

Every event with a place to put it; 8 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: 8

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 late spring system produced a band of very heavy snow across the region on the evening of March 31, and ending during the early morning of April 01 (see corresponding entry for April). Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour combined with northwest winds of 25 to near 35 mph hour. This was a heavy, wet snow, and as a result there were power outages with the highest snowfall amounts across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. In some areas, recovery lasted multiple days before full power was restored.

A few notable snowfall amounts are:|15.0 inches near Ladysmith in Rusk County.|13.0 inches near New Richmond in St. Croix County.|11.5 inches near Amery in Polk County.|11.0 inches near Chetek in Barron County.|10.0 inches near Boyceville in Dunn County.|8.0 inches near Ellsworth in Pierce County.

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 31, 5:49 PM CST, 2 hours 11 minutes earlier.

Area forecast discussion, Mar 31, 5:49 PM CST, 2 hours 11 minutes before

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Hazardous weather outlook, Mar 31, 1:52 PM CST, 6 hours 8 minutes before

Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
252 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

MNZ047>049-051>070-073>078-082>085-091-092-WIZ014>016-023>028-
011945-
Stevens-Pope-Stearns-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-Polk-Barron-Rusk-St. Croix-Pierce-
Dunn-Pepin-Eau Claire-
252 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A Blizzard Warning is in effect tonight for several hours of heavy
snow and strong winds, leading to whiteout conditions. Please
refer to the Winter Weather Message for more information.

There is a chance of thunderstorms through early evening. Some
storms could contain hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

A large storm system is likely to impact the Upper Midwest
Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing a mixture of precipitation types
to the area.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

MNZ041>045-050-093-011945-
Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton-Freeborn-
252 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

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

.DAY ONE...Tonight.

A Winter Storm Warning is in effect tonight for a period of heavy
snow and strong winds. Please refer to the Winter Weather Message
for more information.

There is a chance of thunderstorms through early evening. Some
storms could contain hail.

.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Saturday through Thursday.

A large storm system is likely to impact the Upper Midwest
Tuesday and Wednesday, bringing a mixture of precipitation types
to the area.

.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...

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

Borghoff

In the hours before

Special weather statement, Mar 31, 2:57 PM CST, 5 hours 3 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
357 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

MNZ060-312115-
Hennepin MN-
357 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of south central
Hennepin County through 415 PM CDT...

At 356 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Eden Prairie, or 13 miles southwest of Minneapolis, moving north at
20 mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters reported half in hail in Shakopee.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Eden Prairie around 410 PM CDT.
  Minnetonka, Edina and Hopkins around 415 PM CDT.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4481 9343 4481 9352 4492 9346 4491 9332
      4479 9338
TIME...MOT...LOC 2056Z 200DEG 18KT 4482 9345

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Dye

Special weather statement, Mar 31, 3:11 PM CST, 4 hours 49 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
411 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

MNZ084-092-093-312130-
Waseca MN-Freeborn MN-Faribault MN-
411 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of northeastern
Faribault, northwestern Freeborn and southeastern Waseca Counties
through 430 PM CDT...

At 411 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm near
Waldorf, or 19 miles northwest of Albert Lea, moving northeast at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Winds in excess of 40 mph and half inch hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Gusty winds could knock down tree limbs and blow around
         unsecured objects. Minor damage to outdoor objects is
         possible.

This storm will remain over mainly rural areas of northeastern
Faribault, northwestern Freeborn and southeastern Waseca Counties,
including the following locations... Matawan and Otisco.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4379 9359 4379 9376 4398 9366 4394 9347
TIME...MOT...LOC 2111Z 210DEG 15KT 4387 9363

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.50 IN
MAX WIND GUST...40 MPH

Dye

Local storm report, Mar 31, 3:20 PM CST, 4 hours 40 minutes before

PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT
NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN
420 PM CDT FRI MAR 31 2023

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

0418 PM     HAIL             EDEN PRAIRIE            44.85N 93.44W
03/31/2023  M0.88 INCH       HENNEPIN           MN   PUBLIC

            NICKEL SIZE HAIL REPORTED IN EDEN PRAIRIE,
            MN. PHOTO MEASURED PROVIDED VIA SOCIAL
            MEDIA.

&&

RMD

Special weather statement, Mar 31, 3:21 PM CST, 4 hours 39 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
421 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

MNZ060-312145-
Hennepin MN-
421 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of central Hennepin
County through 445 PM CDT...

At 421 PM CDT, trained weather spotters reported a strong
thunderstorm over Minnetonka, or 9 miles southwest of Minneapolis,
moving north at 20 mph.

HAZARD...Penny size hail.

SOURCE...Trained weather spotters.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Hopkins around 430 PM CDT.
  Wayzata around 435 PM CDT.
  Minnetonka and St. Louis Park around 440 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Minneapolis,
Plymouth, Brooklyn Center and Golden Valley.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4485 9339 4485 9349 4507 9350 4505 9328
TIME...MOT...LOC 2121Z 191DEG 18KT 4490 9344

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.75 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

BPH

Special weather statement, Mar 31, 4:32 PM CST, 3 hours 28 minutes before

Special Weather Statement
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
532 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

MNZ060-068-069-312300-
Hennepin MN-Carver MN-Scott MN-
532 PM CDT Fri Mar 31 2023

...A strong thunderstorm will impact portions of southwestern
Hennepin, north central Scott and east central Carver Counties
through 600 PM CDT...

At 532 PM CDT, Doppler radar was tracking a strong thunderstorm over
Chanhassen, or 16 miles southwest of Minneapolis, moving north at 20
mph.

HAZARD...Pea size hail.

SOURCE...Radar indicated.

IMPACT...Minor damage to outdoor objects is possible.

This strong thunderstorm will be near...
  Chanhassen, Victoria and Excelsior around 550 PM CDT.

Other locations in the path of this storm include Orono and
Minnetrista.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

If outdoors, consider seeking shelter inside a building.

&&

LAT...LON 4479 9347 4474 9359 4491 9369 4494 9348
TIME...MOT...LOC 2232Z 167DEG 16KT 4482 9354

MAX HAIL SIZE...0.25 IN
MAX WIND GUST...<30 MPH

Dye

Special weather statement, Mar 31, 5:05 PM CST, 2 hours 55 minutes before

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The radar

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

Open the radar archive at this moment

Event by event

8 winter storm. Local standard time, as filed.

Winter Storm, Polk

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Polk forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.461, -92.441 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0100 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. A Co-op observer measured 11.5 inches near Amery. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

Winter Storm, St. Croix

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: St. Croix forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.034, -92.453 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. Co-op observers measured 10 to 13 inches across the county, with the highest amounts on the western half. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

Winter Storm, Pierce

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pierce forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.720, -92.422 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. A Co-op observer measured 8.0 inches Ellsworth. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

Winter Storm, Dunn

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Dunn forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.947, -91.896 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. A Co-op observer measured 10.0 inches Boyceville. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

Winter Storm, Barron

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Barron forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.424, -91.848 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. A Co-op observer measured 11.0 inches Chetek. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

Winter Storm, Rusk

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Rusk forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.475, -91.133 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. A Co-op observer measured 15.0 inches Ladysmith. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

Winter Storm, Chippewa

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Chippewa forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 45.069, -91.280 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. A Co-op observer measured 5.0 inches Chippewa Falls. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

Winter Storm, Pepin

When: March 31, 8:00 PM CST to 11:59 PM CST
Where: Pepin forecast zone
Reported by: CoCoRaHS
Coordinates: 44.483, -92.150 (the zone’s center; the record gives no point)

A wintry mix with a couple hours of very heavy snow and strong northwest winds produced hazardous driving conditions. Based on surrounding reports, radar, ASOS observations, and WIDOT road conditions, this event verified at 0300 CST on April 01, before the snow ended during the early morning hours of April 01. A Co-op observer measured 3.0 inches in the western part of the county. In addition to the heavy snow, gusty winds near 30 mph led to periods of whiteout conditions and snow/ice covered roads, which verified the winter storm.

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 Wisconsin in 2023 Every state in 2023 This day in weather history Warnings in Wisconsin, March 2023

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 2026-09-30. Each event’s entry at NCEI: 1089961, 1089962, 1089963, 1089964, 1089965, 1089966, 1089967, 1089968.