Strong low pressure moving from the southern plains through eastern Wisconsin brought copious amounts of precipitation to northeastern Minnesota December 30th and 31st.  A warm surge of deep tropical moisture preceded the storm, and brought rainfall totals that exceeded 1 inch in places.  Freezing rain accumulated to a quarter to a half inch in some places in the interior Arrowhead region.  The Babbitt area had up to a half inch of ice accumulation, which downed trees and power lines. The rain changed over to snow during the evening of the 31st as cold air wrapped around the backside of the system. The heaviest snow occured in a 20 to 30 mile wide band from northwestern Pine County, northeast to east central St Louis County around the Babbitt area. Over 6 inches of snow occured in these areas. Specific snowfall amounts include 10 inches in Babbitt, 8.5 inches near Tamarack, and 7 to 7.5 inches at Embarrass, Floodwood, and Bruno.

Winter Storm in CENTRAL ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-06 20:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Heavy snow was preceded by freezing rain in this New Year's Eve winter storm episode.  Ice accumulated to a quarter to a half inch thick in the Babbitt area, which downed trees and powerlines. Law enforcement reported many accidents overnight on the 30th and into the morning hours of the 31st. Freezing rain changed to heavy snow during the mid afternoon hours on the 31st as cold air moved in and a band of heavy snow set up across central St. Louis County. By the time the snow ended Sunday night, 10 inches of snow had fallen in Babbitt. Other totals include 8.5 inches at McKinley, 6.5 inches in Chisholm, 6 inches in Virginia, and 5 inches in Tower.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-06 20:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Rain changed to snow during the early afternoon hours of the 31st, and ended by late evening on the 31st. The heaviest totals were in extreme eastern areas, where Tamarack received 6 to 7 inches. In western areas, snow totals were only an inch or less.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN ST. LOUIS / CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-06 20:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Rain changed to snow during the afternoon hours on the 31st and ended just before midnight. 6 to 8 inches of snow were reported in western areas of St. Louis and Carlton Counties. Floodwood reported 7.5 inches; Cloquet received 5 inches; Moose Lake reported 3 inches; and Duluth lakeside came in at 1 inch.

Winter Storm in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 31-DEC-06 13:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Rain changed to snow during the early afternoon hours of the 31st. The snow ended right at midnight as the new year began. The heaviest totals occured in western Pine County, where 6 to 8 inches fell. Bruno reported 7 inches, while the Hinckley area got 3.7 inches.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-06 21:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Freezing rain was the main feature of the storm across northern St. Louis County.  The Orr area received a quarter inch of ice by Sunday morning before changing to all snow Sunday afternoon. The snow ended during the evening hours of the 31st.  6 inches of snow fell in the Ely area, with only trace amounts in northwestern St Louis county.

Winter Storm in NORTHERN COOK / NORTHERN LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 30-DEC-06 21:00:00 to 31-DEC-06 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Freezing rain initially affected interior sections of Lake and Cook counties before turning to snow.  A quarter to a half inch of ice accumulated in the Sawbill Landing area of Lake county.  Law enforcement reported numerous accidents in northern Lake County Saturday night into Sunday morning.  The changeover to snow occured Sunday afternoon, and lasted into the late evening Sunday, just before the midnight hour of New Years.  The heaviest snow occured in west-central Lake County, where 6 inches was reported.  Isabella received 3 inches, whereas Two Harbors and Grand Marais only reported 1 and 2 inches, respectively.