A large dynamic storm system brought winter precipitation in the form of snow, sleet, and rain to northeast Minnesota during the Christmas holiday period.  The storm also strong winds to the Northland.  Winds were strongest in the Duluth area, with a 55 mph wind gust measured here.  The winter storm came in two waves.  The first wave of snow began across central and eastern Minnesota late in the afternoon of December 23, and spread northward overnight.  Amounts from this first wave ranged from 2 to 6 inches.
The next wave of snow began Christmas Eve and continued through Christmas Day.  Snow was mixed with rain across the immediate shoreline of Lake Superior, and mixed with snow and rain across interior areas during Christmas Day.  A wide range in snowfall totals occurred.  Most areas received 8 to 10 inches of snow, with much lesser amounts along the Superior shoreline, as well as the Iron Range, and eastward into the interior Arrowhead region.  Up to 2 feet of snow fell inland from the head of Lake Superior, including the Hermantown, Proctor, Esko, and Brimson areas.  New daily snowfall records were set at the Duluth airport and International Falls on Christmas Day.  12.4 inches and 5.2 inches fell, respectively.  Duluth also set a record snowfall on Christmas Eve, with 11.4 inches recorded.  This is also the 5th biggest 3-day snowstorm for Duluth, coming in with a total of 24.5 inches, though is nowhere near the 36.1 inches that fell during the famed Halloween storm of 1991.

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in CENTRAL ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN CASS, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in PINE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN COOK, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN ST. LOUIS / CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Winter Storm in SOUTHERN LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in NORTHERN COOK / NORTHERN LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 06:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in NORTHERN CASS, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 22:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in KOOCHICHING, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Winter Storm in NORTHERN AITKIN, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 03:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in NORTHERN ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 04:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Winter Storm in NORTHERN ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 24-DEC-09 02:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter