A fast moving, but intense Alberta Clipper system, brought light snowfall across much of southern and portions of west central Minnesota Monday January 12th. However, very strong winds developed as an area of low pressure intensified across central Minnesota. This caused blizzard, or near blizzard conditions across a portion of west central Minnesota Monday morning, with winter storm conditions spreading south and east across the remainder of southern Minnesota during the afternoon and evening of January 12th.
A blizzard watch was issued over 36 hours before the event began, with winter storm warnings issued 6 to 12 hours before blizzard conditions were met across west central Minnesota. Several areas along the far western border of Minnesota reported sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, along with frequent gusts of 45 to 50 mph near Madison, Appleton, and other areas across Lac Qui Parle, western Chippewa, and western Swift counties. Even though not all areas reported three consecutive hours of sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph along with visibilities of 1/4 of a mile or less, numerous communities had several hours of one mile or less in blowing snow, with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph.
Some areas of east central Minnesota did not receive the strong winds, but a few bands of intense snowfall rates caused areas just south of the Twin Cities to receive between four and six inches of snow.
Even after the snow stopped during the evening, strong winds and falling temperatures caused dangerously cold wind chill values.
The following are wind chill values obtained during the height of the coldest temperatures and highest wind speeds around the area.
Glenwood at -46, Morris at -45, Alexandria at -43, St. Cloud at -43, Benson at -42, Princeton at -42, Albert Lea at -40, and Lakeville at -40.

Winter Storm in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Brown county.

Winter Storm in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 16:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Faribault county.

Winter Storm in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

During the evening of January 12, strong gusty winds and snowfall amounts of three to four inches caused winter storm conditions across Freeborn County.

Blizzard in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several hours of blowing snow and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph occurred across Western Chippewa county. Although only two to four inches of snow fell between 3 am and 3 pm across the county, strong winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts to 50 mph, caused several hours of blizzard conditions with wind chills as low as 20 below zero.

Winter Storm in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

During the evening of January 12, strong gusty winds and snowfall amounts of three to four inches caused winter storm conditions across Waseca County.

Winter Storm in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Yellow Medicine county.

Blizzard in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 13:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several hours of blowing snow and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph occurred across Swift County.

Winter Storm in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Goodhue county.

Winter Storm in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Stevens county.

Winter Storm in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 14:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Redwood county.

Winter Storm in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Rice county.

Winter Storm in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

During the evening of January 12, strong gusty winds and snowfall amounts of three to four inches caused winter storm conditions across Steele County.

Winter Storm in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 20:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Scott county.

Blizzard in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 12:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several hours of blowing snow and wind gusts of 40 to 50 mph occurred across most of Lac Qui Parle county.

Winter Storm in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 13:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Renville county.

Winter Storm in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 16:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Watonwan county.

Winter Storm in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 16:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Martin county.

Winter Storm in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Sibley county.

Winter Storm in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 15:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Nicollet county.

Winter Storm in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 12-JAN-09 16:00:00 to 12-JAN-09 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Several hours of blowing snow and reduced visibilities caused many roadways to become hazardous across Blue Earth county.