Record Snows of February 2019

snowy yard
Typical snowy residential scene, all too common during February 2019
Image credit: MN State Climatology Office

February 2019 got off to a fast start, and the snow accumulated quickly, and frequently across Minnesota. By the 12th of the month, five separate major snowfall events had visited the state, and totals were already between 15 and 25 inches in most areas. After a lull of sorts, the active pattern resumed with major snowstorms on the 20th, and 22nd through 24th.

Most of the snowstorms were moderate to heavy, producing wide swaths of 4-8, or perhaps 6-10 inches. A couple storms, however, outperformed the rest. The snowstorm of February 11th and 12th had totals over a foot in far southeastern Minnesota. Similarly the storm on the 22nd through 24th maxed out with over a foot from south-central through southeast Minnesota, as one of the fiercest blizzards in recent memory raged across much of the state.

The month ended up demolishing February snowfall records across the state, with monthly totals often exceeding the previous records by 50-100%. In some cases, the margins separating the new #1 from the former record-holders are the largest for any winter month. February 2019 also featured an unusual number of significant snowfall events. Many locations had four or five different calendar days with at least 4 inches of snow. A typical winter in the Twin Cities usually sees only 2-3 such events!

Below is a summary of snowfall records set at Minnesota's "first-order" weather stations. These stations are maintained professionally and use the highest-quality automated measuring equipment, in combination with human observation.

February 2019 snowfall statistics at five Minnesota stations. Bold/italics represent record values
Station NameSnowfall Feb 2019Old Feb. Snowfall RecordYearFeb 2019 Departure from Snowfall RecordCalendar days with at least 4" of snow (Feb 2019)Largest 2-day Snowfall Total
Duluth36.4"33.9"1939+2.5"410.7"
International Falls25.4"32.3"1992-6.9"27.4"
Rochester40.0"20.1"2007+19.9"512.1"
St. Cloud27.6"21.6"1971+6.0"37.4"
Twin Cities39.0"26.5"1962+12.5"59.1"

 

This was also the snowiest February on record at 47 of Minnesota's older National Weather Service cooperative observing stations, from all corners of the state. Below is a list of all new records for all  stations with at least 30 years of observing activity.

 

Station

Snowfall (inches)

LAKE CITY

49

MINNESOTA CITY DAM 5

45.7

THEILMAN 1SSW

45.5

WINONA DAM 5 A

43.4

WABASHA

41.6

OWATONNA

40.6

RED WING

40.5

Rochester Area

40

ELGIN 2SSW

39.7

VADNAIS LAKE

39.5

HASTINGS DAM 2

39.2

Minneapolis-St Paul Area

39

ZUMBROTA

39

FARIBAULT

38.4

MARSHALL

37.9

NEW HOPE

36.8

Duluth Area

36.4

RED LAKE FALLS

36.4

REDWOOD FALLS

35.8

GRAND MEADOW

35.2

TRACY

35

WILD RIVER STATE PARK

34.6

ROCKFORD

34.1

BRICELYN

33.3

LAKE WILSON

32.7

SANTIAGO 3 E

32.7

AUSTIN WASTE WATER TREATMENT FACILITY

32.5

RED WING DAM 3

32.5

WINNEBAGO

32.4

LAMBERTON SOUTHWEST RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER

31.9

LA CRESCENT DAM 7

31

WASECA SOUTHERN RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER

30.8

MINNEOTA

30.5

BEMIDJI

29.1

ST. PETER

28.3

LEECH LAKE

28

Saint Cloud Area

27.6

ARGYLE

27.4

BRIMSON 2S

27.4

CASS LAKE

27.1

COLLEGEVILLE ST. JOHN'S

27

ROSEMOUNT RESEARCH AND OUTREACH CENTER

27

WINDOM

26.1

ADA

25.9

MELROSE

25.7

THORHULT

22.7

CROOKSTON NW EXP STA

21.8

DELANO

21.4

GEORGETOWN 1 E

21.3

BRAINERD

20.3

 

Following are links to many of February 2019's accumulating snowfall events.

Last modified: October 19, 2023

 

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