Credit: NOAA Snowfall Analysis
A wild year ended in wild fashion, as a large winter storm Saturday and Sunday, December 28-29, brought icy conditions to much of Minnesota, followed by rain in the south and east, and heavy snow with strong winds in the north and west.
The precipitation formed as a low pressure system moved from the southwestern Plains into Minnesota, dragging a large quantity of moisture northward. With cold air in place at the surface, but temperatures warming to well-above freezing a mile above the ground, the stage was set for a round of freezing rain and sleet.
Problems began almost immediately on Saturday morning, as an area of rain moved in while temperatures were still below freezing across the state. The rain froze upon contact, forming a slick glaze on virtually all surfaces. The morning hours were filled with scenes of pedestrians slipping and falling. Icy conditions produced nearly 500 vehicle crashes on Minnesota roads Saturday, with 43 injuries and two fatalities. Sections of interstate highways were closed at times across the state, and Metro Transit ordered a system-wide suspension of bus service for the first time in nearly nine years.
As the center of the storm system moved into Minnesota Saturday afternoon, the air warmed enough to turn the ice back over to rain over most of Minnesota, although freezing rain and sleet continued in parts of southwest and northeast Minnesota.
The steady rain ended over much of the area later Saturday night into the morning of Sunday December 29, just as a substantial snowstorm began forming over the north and west. Moderate to heavy snow fell north and west of an arc connecting Marshall, Alexandria, Brainerd, and Duluth. The National Weather Service issued Blizzard Warnings for the Red River Valley in Minnesota and North Dakota, where winds gusting as high as 50 mph combined with the falling snow to produce whiteout conditions.
The storm produced an inch of precipitation or so over almost all of Minnesota, but closer to two inches in isolated areas. The highest precipitation totals through the morning of December 30 included 2.22 inches at the Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, 2.17 inches near Breckenridge, and 2.00 inches at Melrose. Snowfall totals included 13.5 inches at Climax; 13 inches at Bemidji and Elbow Lake; 12 inches at Crookston, Detroit Lakes, and Park Rapids; 9.2 inches at Big Falls and Chisholm; and 9.0 inches at Walker.
On Monday December 30th, the system spawned a new low pressure area well to the east, that intensified and produced several inches of additional snowfall, especially over eastern Minnesota.
The following summaries are from the Grand Forks and Duluth offices of the National Weather Service.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE GRAND FORKS ND 831 AM CST MON DEC 30 2019 [Known Minnesota locations in Bold] ..SNOWFALL REPORTS LOCATION AMOUNT TIME/DATE PROVIDER 5 NNE LUVERNE 17.3 IN 0440 PM 12/29 TRAINED SPOTTER FORMAN 17.0 IN 0711 PM 12/29 PUBLIC FRONTIER 17.0 IN 0343 PM 12/29 PUBLIC MAPLETON 14.0 IN 0225 AM 12/30 PUBLIC MAYVILLE 14.0 IN 0146 PM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA FARGO 13.5 IN 0813 PM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA CLIMAX 13.0 IN 0611 PM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA 2 N FISHER 13.0 IN 0535 PM 12/29 PUBLIC 5 N LEONARD 13.0 IN 0150 PM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA BEMIDJI 13.0 IN 1245 PM 12/29 PUBLIC ELBOW LAKE 13.0 IN 1045 AM 12/29 PUBLIC GRAND FORKS 12.9 IN 0654 AM 12/30 OFFICIAL NWS OBS MEKINOCK 12.0 IN 0502 PM 12/29 PUBLIC HENDRUM 12.0 IN 0400 PM 12/29 PUBLIC 1 SE PARK RAPIDS 12.0 IN 0230 PM 12/29 TRAINED SPOTTER 1 N DETROIT LAKES 12.0 IN 0220 PM 12/29 PUBLIC CROOKSTON 12.0 IN 1245 PM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA 2 N HOLT 11.6 IN 1258 PM 12/29 PUBLIC SAUM 11.5 IN 0535 PM 12/29 PUBLIC MOORHEAD 11.5 IN 1054 AM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA LISBON 11.0 IN 0500 PM 12/29 PUBLIC FRAZEE 11.0 IN 1230 PM 12/29 PUBLIC 3 ESE WESTBURY 10.4 IN 0725 AM 12/30 COCORAHS THORHULT MN 10.2 IN 0500 PM 12/29 COOP TWIN VALLEY 10.0 IN 0503 PM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA PENNINGTON 10.0 IN 0130 PM 12/29 PUBLIC NORTHWOOD 10.0 IN 0130 PM 12/29 PUBLIC KELLIHER 10.0 IN 0845 AM 12/29 PUBLIC CALLAWAY 9.5 IN 1259 PM 12/29 PUBLIC PELICAN RAPIDS 9.0 IN 0255 AM 12/30 CO-OP OBSERVER HENDRUM 9.0 IN 1035 AM 12/29 BROADCAST MEDIA LIDGERWOOD 8.5 IN 0722 AM 12/30 CO-OP OBSERVER NEWFOLDEN 8.5 IN 1030 AM 12/29 PUBLIC PARK RAPIDS 8.0 IN 0830 AM 12/29 PUBLIC ROSEAU 7.0 IN 0228 AM 12/30 PUBLIC 3 NW OYLEN 6.5 IN 0900 AM 12/29 PUBLIC WARROAD 4 W 5.9 IN 1000 PM 12/29 COOP DEVILS LAKE 5.0 IN 0534 AM 12/30 BROADCAST MEDIA PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN 1239 PM CST SUN DEC 29 2019 [Most reports over 3 inches from MN] ..SNOWFALL REPORTS AS OF 12:40PM DECEMBER 29 2019 LOCATION AMOUNT TIME/DATE LAT/LON BIG FALLS 1.0 N 9.2 IN 0930 AM 12/29 48.19N/93.81W 1 NW CHISHOLM 9.2 IN 0915 AM 12/29 47.50N/92.89W ISLAND LAKE 4 E 9.2 IN 0900 AM 12/29 47.02N/92.07W 1 W SIDE LAKE 9.0 IN 0947 AM 12/29 47.67N/93.04W WALKER COMMUNITY CENTER 9.0 IN 1000 AM 12/29 47.15N/94.65W CHISHOLM 0.4 WSW 8.9 IN 0900 AM 12/29 47.49N/92.89W 7 NNW TWO HARBORS 8.8 IN 0829 AM 12/29 47.13N/91.71W TWO HARBORS 3.6 WNW 8.1 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.04N/91.75W 3 N CANYON 8.0 IN 0858 AM 12/29 47.08N/92.46W TWO HARBORS 9.7 NNE 8.0 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.17N/91.62W TWO HARBORS 2.1 NW 7.5 IN 1010 AM 12/29 47.05N/91.71W CASS LAKE 7.0 IN 0800 AM 12/29 47.38N/94.61W 8 NNW COLERAINE 7.0 IN 0827 AM 12/29 47.41N/93.49W DULUTH 11.8 NNE 7.0 IN 0710 AM 12/29 46.95N/92.04W 3 E FINLAND 7.0 IN 0840 AM 12/29 47.42N/91.18W CANYON 4.6 NNE 6.7 IN 0900 AM 12/29 47.10N/92.42W 2 S BRIMSON 6.6 IN 0905 AM 12/29 47.25N/91.86W CELINA 2 E 6.5 IN 0800 AM 12/29 47.87N/93.03W COLERAINE 1.5 S 6.5 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.28N/93.42W DULUTH 15.4 NNW 6.5 IN 0800 AM 12/29 46.99N/92.24W 7 WSW HOVLAND 6.5 IN 1108 AM 12/29 47.82N/90.11W WOLF RIDGE 6.5 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.38N/91.20W KEEWATIN 0.2 SSE 6.4 IN 0800 AM 12/29 47.40N/93.08W BOVEY 13.4 N 6.3 IN 0645 AM 12/29 47.49N/93.44W HACKENSACK 7.0 ENE 6.3 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.96N/94.37W 3 E PAYNE 6.3 IN 0531 AM 12/29 47.10N/92.53W TWO HARBORS 6.3 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.02N/91.66W COHASSET 7.6 NNW 6.2 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.34N/93.70W 2 SW TWO HARBORS 6.2 IN 1230 AM 12/29 47.01N/91.71W COTTON 5.7 ESE 6.0 IN 0800 AM 12/29 47.15N/92.36W GRAND RAPIDS 12 N 6.0 IN 0630 AM 12/29 47.40N/93.51W 7 N MCGREGOR 6.0 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.71N/93.29W 2 SSE PINE RIVER 6.0 IN 0808 AM 12/29 46.69N/94.37W DULUTH 17.6 NNW 5.9 IN 0630 AM 12/29 46.99N/92.31W HOVLAND 0.1 NE 5.8 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.84N/89.97W GRAND RAPIDS 6.1 N 5.7 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.31N/93.55W NASHWAUK 11.5 N 5.7 IN 0630 AM 12/29 47.55N/93.19W COTTON 5.5 IN 0900 AM 12/29 47.17N/92.46W NWS DULUTH 5.5 IN 0600 AM 12/29 46.84N/92.21W BOVEY 15.9 N 5.1 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.53N/93.40W IRON JUNCTION 3.4 NNW 5.0 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.46N/92.63W ISABELLA 14 W 5.0 IN 0900 AM 12/29 47.59N/91.65W ORR 3 E 5.0 IN 0600 AM 12/29 48.06N/92.75W 2 N PILLAGER 5.0 IN 1007 AM 12/29 46.35N/94.47W SUPERIOR 14.8 S 5.0 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.48N/92.07W 2 WSW TWIG 5.0 IN 0900 PM 12/28 46.89N/92.41W DULUTH 8.0 NE 4.8 IN 1057 PM 12/28 46.88N/92.01W PEQUOT LAKES 4.8 IN 0937 AM 12/29 46.61N/94.32W BAYFIELD 9N 4.5 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.94N/90.83W 3 N BRAINERD 4.5 IN 0924 AM 12/29 46.40N/94.19W 2 SSW ELY 4.5 IN 0804 AM 12/29 47.88N/91.87W 3 NNE LESTER PARK 4.5 IN 0923 PM 12/28 46.88N/92.00W MOOSE LAKE 4.5 IN 0523 PM 12/28 46.45N/92.77W TOFTE 4.9 NE 4.5 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.62N/90.76W 2 ENE HOLYOKE 4.4 IN 0801 AM 12/29 46.48N/92.34W 4 NW TWO HARBORS 4.4 IN 0817 PM 12/28 47.07N/91.75W WRENSHALL 9.7 SSE 4.4 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.49N/92.34W 2 E KETTLE RIVER 4.3 IN 0748 PM 12/28 46.49N/92.84W 3 N MAHTOWA 4.3 IN 0832 PM 12/28 46.61N/92.64W PILLAGER 5.1 N 4.3 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.40N/94.46W WRENSHALL 4.3 IN 0800 AM 12/29 46.62N/92.38W BRAINERD 11.5 E 4.2 IN 0750 AM 12/29 46.39N/93.96W 1 NW FOXBORO 4.0 IN 0430 PM 12/28 46.49N/92.29W FREDENBERG 4.0 IN 0707 PM 12/28 46.97N/92.22W 2 NNW GARY NEW DULUTH 4.0 IN 0800 PM 12/28 46.71N/92.23W KABETOGAMA 4.0 IN 0700 AM 12/29 48.41N/93.05W MEADOWLANDS 4.0 IN 0825 PM 12/28 47.07N/92.73W 3 NNE NISSWA 4.0 IN 1050 AM 12/29 46.55N/94.28W OLIVER 4.0 IN 0625 PM 12/28 46.65N/92.19W 4 SSW SAND BAY 4.0 IN 1000 PM 12/28 46.88N/90.93W 1 S TWIG 4.0 IN 0525 PM 12/28 46.88N/92.36W 2 WNW TWO HARBORS 4.0 IN 0700 PM 12/28 47.04N/91.70W 3 E WRIGHT 4.0 IN 0600 AM 12/29 46.68N/92.95W GRAND MARAIS 4.4 W 3.9 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.75N/90.44W DULUTH 3.0 NE 3.8 IN 0815 AM 12/29 46.82N/92.06W ELY INTL WOLF CENTER 3.8 IN 0800 AM 12/29 47.91N/91.83W 2 SSW MOOSE LAKE 3.7 IN 0753 PM 12/28 46.42N/92.80W 1 SE CLOQUET 3.5 IN 0900 PM 12/28 46.71N/92.45W 4.1 ENE CORNUCOPIA 3.5 IN 0732 PM 12/28 46.88N/91.02W FORT RIPLEY 0.8 N 3.5 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.18N/94.37W 3 WSW GRAND MARAIS 3.5 IN 0826 AM 12/29 47.74N/90.41W 6 SE SAINT MATHIAS 3.5 IN 0510 PM 12/28 46.17N/94.15W BRAINERD 3.4 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.34N/94.21W ELY 25 E 3.4 IN 0704 AM 12/29 47.97N/91.45W GRAND MARAIS 4.4 WSW 3.4 IN 0700 AM 12/29 47.74N/90.44W 6.8 N TWO HARBORS 3.4 IN 0700 PM 12/28 47.13N/91.71W BRAINERD 7.7 SSE 3.3 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.25N/94.15W 1 N CLOQUET 3.2 IN 0645 PM 12/28 46.73N/92.45W COOK 8NE 3.2 IN 0600 AM 12/29 47.85N/92.69W 12 N ISLE 3.2 IN 0800 AM 12/29 46.32N/93.50W 1 N MOTLEY 3.2 IN 0545 PM 12/28 46.35N/94.65W 3.7 NE SEA GULL LAKE 3.2 IN 0700 AM 12/29 48.17N/90.89W TROMMALD 6.1 NW 3.2 IN 0800 AM 12/29 46.56N/94.12W DULUTH 1.4 NNW 3.0 IN 0822 AM 12/29 46.80N/92.11W DULUTH 7.9 SW 3.0 IN 0900 AM 12/29 46.71N/92.23W 6.5 SE DUQUETTE 3.0 IN 0800 AM 12/29 46.28N/92.50W WILLOW RIVER 3.0 IN 0519 PM 12/28 46.32N/92.84W 4 NW TWO HARBORS 2.6 IN 0545 PM 12/28 47.07N/91.75W 3 SSW BRUNO 2.5 IN 0947 AM 12/29 46.24N/92.68W SANDSTONE 2.5 IN 0448 PM 12/28 46.13N/92.86W 7 WSW PINE RIVER 2.4 IN 1045 PM 12/28 46.69N/94.54W BAYFIELD FISH HATCHERY 2.0 IN 0800 AM 12/29 46.79N/90.86W 7 ESE SUPERIOR 2.0 IN 0622 PM 12/28 46.66N/91.90W 3 SSW SUPERIOR 2.0 IN 0559 PM 12/28 46.67N/92.11W SUPERIOR 2 ENE 2.0 IN 1200 AM 12/29 46.73N/92.07W 5 S HERBSTER 1.8 IN 1000 AM 12/29 46.77N/91.24W DULUTH 1.2 SE 1.5 IN 0600 AM 12/29 46.77N/92.09W POPLAR 2.0 E 1.4 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.58N/91.75W BROOK PARK 3.9 S 1.3 IN 0630 AM 12/29 45.89N/93.06W 5 NNE BRULE 1.2 IN 0800 AM 12/29 46.62N/91.53W ASHLAND 0.5 WNW 1.1 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.58N/90.88W ASHLAND 9.8 W 1.0 IN 0700 AM 12/29 46.60N/91.08W 3 W LESTER PARK 1.0 IN 0430 PM 12/28 46.85N/92.08W 4 SE SUPERIOR 1.0 IN 0400 PM 12/28 46.68N/92.02W OBSERVATIONS ARE COLLECTED FROM A VARIETY OF SOURCES WITH VARYING EQUIPMENT AND EXPOSURES. WE THANK ALL VOLUNTEER WEATHER OBSERVERS FOR THEIR DEDICATION. NOT ALL DATA LISTED ARE CONSIDERED OFFICIAL.