Ice Storm in Minnesota

Events

335

Deaths

0

Injuries

3

Damage

$41 million

• Ice Storm in Minnesota, April 4 to 6, 1997$18 million · 9 eventsAn intense low pressure system, with center pressures around 28.8 inches, tracked from Fergus Falls to International Falls. The initial rain was accompanied by thunder and lightning in Polk county, and then changed to freezing rain as the temperature fell.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, November 14 to 18, 1996$13 million · 8 eventsAn ice storm consisting of several periods of freezing rain caused widespread damage to power lines and poles, and to trees. Power lines snapped, cable wires were ripped down, and tree debris littered and blocked some roads. Thousands lost power, some for 5 days.
• Blizzard and Ice Storm in Minnesota, April 10 to 11, 2019$5.8 million · 8 eventsA historic late-season, multi-day winter storm developed rapidly across the central Plains on Wednesday, April 10. This system spiraled several periods of precipitation through the region.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, April 22 to 23, 2001$4.2 million · 2 eventsAn intense low pressure system moved northeast through the western Great Lakes area producing heavy precipitation. Because of the cold temperatures, much of the precipitation fell as freezing rain on the higher elevations away from Lake Superior.
• Ice Storm and High Surf in Minnesota, November 10, 2022$1.0 million · 4 eventsA strong Colorado low brought anomalously high moisture to the region on the 10th.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, March 23 to 25, 2009$815,000 · 3 eventsWarm air surged north ahead of a strong low pressure system, while cold air over Lake Superior was pushed onshore by strong easterly winds. Heavy rain froze on contact and created severe icing conditions along the north shore of Lake Superior from Two Harbors to Grand Marais.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, January 17 to 18, 1996$350,000 · 3 eventsFreezing rain caused severe icing which resulted in damage to trees and power lines. The damage was increased by strong winds which developed as the freezing rain changed to snow.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, January 4, 19981 injured · $32,000 · 7 eventsWidespread ice accumulations of 1/4 to 3/4 of an inch caused several accidents. However, no serious injuries were reported and only a few power outages occurred.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, March 13, 1997$40,000 · 8 eventsFreezing rain caused ice accumulations which disrupted travel and caused numerous accidents.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, April 11, 20132 injured · $20,000 · 2 eventsIcy conditions developed across portions of southeast Minnesota as freezing rain created a layer of ice on some roads and most exposed surfaces. Several accidents were reported along Interstate 90 in Olmsted and Winona Counties with some injuries occurring.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, April 16, 2000$20,000 · 7 eventsFreezing rain caused significant ice accumulation on trees, power lines, and other exposed surfaces, although ice accumulation on roads was slight due to warm surfaces. The ice cause tree damage, and a few power lines and poles were also pulled down.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, November 14 to 15, 199619 eventsSchools closed or began late over much of southern Minnesota the morning of the 15th. 1/2 inch thick ice common over the area. Flights canceled at Minneapolis/St.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, February 8 to 10, 200919 eventsA Colorado Low tracked from northeast Colorado on the morning of the 9th into west central Minnesota on the morning of the 10th. This system pushed unseasonably warm and moist air into the northern plains, with surface dew point temperatures on the 9th rising into the 30s.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Minnesota, November 10 to 11, 202018 eventsOn the morning of Tuesday, November, 10th, a cold front had moved across Minnesota and western Wisconsin. A 500 MB short wave that developed across the central Rockies was moving northeast across Nebraska with an intensifying 850 MB low developing across Iowa Tuesday morning.
• Blizzard and Ice Storm in Minnesota, December 13 to 15, 202218 eventsA powerful, long duration winter storm brought widespread snowfall amounts of 8 to 24 inches across parts of northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin, with areas around Lake Superior receiving up to 30 inches of snow.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, February 1, 199915 eventsFreezing rain and freezing drizzle coated much of northeastern Minnesota with as much as 1/4 inch of ice. Many traffic accidents were reported.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, February 22 to 23, 199614 eventsFreezing rain forced law enforcement officials to advise no travel. Sidewalks also became slick due to accumulations of ice. Many vehicles were reported in ditches and in minor traffic accidents. Local hospitals reported setting many broken bones.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, January 30, 199714 events0.05 inches of freezing rain fell across northwest Minnesota, causing numerous vehicle accidents. Many vehicles slid off roads, while others could not travel up slopes. Emergency officials could not reach accident scenes or help stranded motorists.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, December 17 to 18, 200214 eventsFreezing rain, at times mixed with sleet and snow, began late at night and continued through most of the day. One-quarter to one-half inch of ice collected on roads and sidewalks, making them treacherous at times. All the schools in the Duluth area were closed.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, January 17 to 18, 199612 eventsAn extended period of rain and freezing rain resulted in significant icing conditions over parts of east central and southern Minnesota. Over 1 inch of rain occurred over much of the area resulting in street flooding due to snow clogged sewers.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, January 4 to 5, 199812 eventsFreezing rain produced ice accumulations ranging from one-quarter to three-quarters of an inch. Numerous car accidents were reported, one of which resulted in a fatality near Fairmont in Martin County.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Minnesota, January 22 to 25, 201012 eventsA complex storm brought a variety of heavy winter precipitation to northeast Minnesota. The storm began as rain and freezing rain, gradually changed over to snow on the evening of the 23rd, and then waffled back between rain, freezing rain, and snow the following day.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, December 25 to 26, 201612 eventsVery light freezing drizzle fell across southeast North Dakota and west central Minnesota during the early morning hours of the 25th, producing slick roads in spots.
• Ice Storm and Winter Storm in Minnesota, December 25 to 26, 201612 eventsA an area of low pressure moved northeast from Colorado into western Minnesota between the morning of Christmas to the following morning. Freezing drizzle fell across northeast Minnesota early Sunday, making for slippery roads before the onset of the storm.
• Ice Storm in Minnesota, December 30, 200411 eventsFreezing rain caused ice up to one-half inch thick to accumulate on roads, sidewalks, trees and power lines. There were many reports of tree damage and sporadic power outages.

Ice Storm everywhereEvery kind of event in Minnesota

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.