A very amplified weather pattern developed across the central U.S. the latter part of December, which produced nearly 48 hours of wintry precipitation across the Upper Midwest, starting the evening of December 23th.
Prior to the 23th of December, areas of light snow and light freezing drizzle occurred across the region, which caused the issuance of several winter weather advisories prior to the winter storm that developed late Wednesday afternoon.  Two storm systems began to organize across the central Plains and northern Rockies on Wednesday, December 23th.  The southern system caused a large shield of precipitation to develop across the Plains and Midwest, which moved northward into southern Minnesota and west-central Wisconsin the afternoon of December 23th.  Several bands of heavy snow began to develop across southern Minnesota during the evening, which produced locally four to eight inches of snow south of the Twin Cities prior to midnight.
There was a break in the precipitation late Wednesday night and early Thursday before the next storm system began to affect Upper Midwest late Thursday afternoon and evening.  This system was much warmer and caused the precipitation to switch to sleet and freezing rain across far south central Minnesota during the evening, which eventually spread northward across west-central Wisconsin prior to midnight.
Temperatures continued to rise during the overnight period of December 24th/25th, which caused the sleet and freezing rain to switch to light rain in west-central Wisconsin and portions of south-central and southeast Minnesota.  Eventually the warmer air moved from west-central Wisconsin into most of east-central and central Minnesota the morning of December 25th. Periods of heavy wet snow switched over to light snow and sleet across east-central Minnesota the morning of December 25th.  Most of southern and central Minnesota had temperatures rise near or above freezing the afternoon of December 25th, which compacted the heavy wet snow.  The last of the storm systems began the evening of December 25th and lasted until Saturday morning December 26th in portions of west-central Minnesota.  By the time the large storm system exited the Great Lakes, between 6 and 18 inches of snow fell across the warned area, with slightly lesser amounts where sleet and freezing rain were predominate.
Some of the higher snowfall totals from this event include: 18 inches at Olivia, 17 inches at Sacred Heart, Chaska and Welcome, 16 inches at Morgan and Lester Prairie, and 15 inches at Prior Lake, Annandale and Brownton.

Winter Storm in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 16:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Martin County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Although most of the snow occurred by the morning of the 25th, lingering flurries continued through the morning of the 26th. Snowfall totals by the morning of 26th, ranged from 14 to 17 inches.

Winter Storm in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected McLeod County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 16 inches, with a local report of 19 inches east of Glencoe.

Winter Storm in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Meeker County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in MILLE LACS, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Mille Lacs County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in MORRISON, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Morrison County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 11 inches.

Winter Storm in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Nicollet County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 15 inches.

Winter Storm in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Pope County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 6 to 11 inches.

Winter Storm in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Ramsey County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 14 inches.

Winter Storm in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Redwood County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 16 inches, with higher amounts in the eastern part of the county.

Winter Storm in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Rice County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 15 inches, with higher amounts in the northwest part of the county.

Winter Storm in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Wright County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches.

Winter Storm in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Yellow Medicine County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 9 to 14 inches, with higher amounts in the western part of the county.

Winter Storm in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Faribault County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 9 to 14 inches in the western part of the county. Much less occurred in the eastern part where freezing rain was more predominate on the 25th.

Winter Storm in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Waseca County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches for mainly the northern part of the county.

Winter Storm in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Steele County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches for mainly the northern part of the county.

Winter Storm in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Goodhue County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 6 to 9 inches, with higher amounts in the northwest part of the county.

Winter Storm in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Scott County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 15 inches.

Winter Storm in SHERBURNE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Sherburne County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 13 inches.

Winter Storm in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Sibley County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 15 inches.

Winter Storm in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Stearns County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches.

Winter Storm in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Stevens County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Swift County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches.

Winter Storm in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Todd County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 13 inches.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Washington County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 11 inches.

Winter Storm in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Watonwan County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 14 to 17 inches.

Winter Storm in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Anoka County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 9 to 13 inches.

Winter Storm in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Benton County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Blue Earth County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 9 to 14 inches, with the higher amounts in the western part of the county.

Winter Storm in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Brown County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 15 inches.

Winter Storm in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Renville County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches.

Winter Storm in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Carver County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 18 inches.

Winter Storm in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Chippewa County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in CHISAGO, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Chisago County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Dakota County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 9 to 14 inches, with higher amounts in the western part of the county.

Winter Storm in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 20:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Douglas County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 6 to 10 inches.

Winter Storm in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 19:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Hennepin County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches.

Winter Storm in ISANTI, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Isanti County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches.

Winter Storm in KANABEC, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 21:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Kanabec County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 8 to 13 inches.

Winter Storm in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Kandiyohi County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches.

Winter Storm in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 18:00:00 to 26-DEC-09 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Lac Qui Parle County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches, with higher amounts in the northern part of the county.

Winter Storm in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 23-DEC-09 17:00:00 to 25-DEC-09 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Three storm systems affected Le Sueur County over a period of 48 to 60 hours. Once the storm systems tapered off the morning of December 26th, snowfall totals ranged from 12 to 15 inches.