The second winter storm of the season was also a mixed precipitation event.  A "hybrid" surface low pressure system moved nearly straight east across the northern plains.  It tracked across northern South Dakota to Aberdeen, then toward Bemidji (MN) and Duluth.  A strong thermal gradient developed during the day on thursday (30th), with highs from around 20 near Cando, ND, to around 40 from Forman, ND, to Parkers Prairie, MN.  A swath of freezing rain fell first, coating many areas with a quarter inch of ice.  As the temperature fell, the freezing rain changed to snow.  The most snow, 6 to 10 inches, fell along the canadian border from Langdon to Pembina (ND) to Hallock to Roseau (MN).  Less snow fell south of this area, roughly 2 to 5 inches along the U.S. Highway 2 corridor.  Wind speeds did pick up as the low pressure system moved east, producing some visibility restrictions in blowing snow.  Quite a bit more snow fell north of the international border, prompting the closure of Manitoba Highways 75 and 59 north of the Pembina (ND) and Lancaster (MN) border crossings.  This stranded many Canadian hockey fans in Grand Forks (ND) and Thief River Falls (MN), who had been watching the men's (under age 20)  International Hockey Federation tournament.

Winter Storm in WEST POLK, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in EAST POLK, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in WEST BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-04 04:50:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in NORMAN, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-04 04:50:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in MAHNOMEN, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-04 04:50:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in SOUTH CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-04 04:50:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in NORTH BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in SOUTH BELTRAMI, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in PENNINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in ROSEAU, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in LAKE OF THE WOODS, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in KITTSON, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in EAST BECKER, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-04 04:50:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in HUBBARD, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-04 04:50:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in WEST MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in EAST MARSHALL, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in NORTH CLEARWATER, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Winter Storm in RED LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 29-DEC-04 15:30:00 to 31-DEC-04 06:00:00 (CST)
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.