A powerful low pressure system tracked across the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes region during the evening hours of December 10th into the morning hours of December 12th. This brought heavy snow and blizzard conditions across southeast Minnesota. Volunteer cooperative observers measured snowfall amounts of 23 inches at Winona Lock and Dam 5A (Winona County), 21 inches three miles south of Winona (Winona County), 17 inches one mile west of Reads Landing (Wabasha County), 16 inches near the Rochester airport (Olmsted County) and 12 inches at Mantorville (Dodge County). In addition to the heavy snow, sustained wind speeds of 25 to 30 miles per hour with gusts up to 50 miles per hour caused whiteout conditions, widespread road closures and stranded motorists.

Winter Storm in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 07:00:00 to 11-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winter conditions deteriorated quickly during the morning hours with several inches of snow and increasing winds.  This storm worsened to Blizzard conditions later in the day.

Winter Storm in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 07:00:00 to 11-DEC-10 12:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winter conditions deteriorated quickly during the morning hours with several inches of snow and increasing winds.  This storm worsened to Blizzard conditions later in the day.

Blizzard in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 15:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Blizzard in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 12:30:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

More than twenty vehicles, including snow plows, were stuck in drifts on roadways.

Blizzard in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

In the Winona area, 21 to 23 inches of snow fell combined with strong winds to create blizzard conditions, especially in western parts of the county where it is flatter.

Blizzard in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Many roads were blown shut and several motorists were stranded in vehicles from blizzard conditions.  Observers near the Rochester Airport measured 16 inches of snow and large drifts.

Blizzard in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 14:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

In addition to reports of 17 inches of snow near Reads Landing, white out conditions were seen from strong winds and heavy snow rates.

Winter Storm in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 06:00:00 to 11-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winter conditions deteriorated quickly during the morning hours with several inches of snow and increasing winds.  This storm worsened to Blizzard conditions later in the day.

Winter Storm in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 06:00:00 to 11-DEC-10 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winter conditions deteriorated quickly during the morning hours with several inches of snow and increasing winds.  This storm worsened to Blizzard conditions later in the day.

Winter Storm in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 06:00:00 to 11-DEC-10 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winter conditions deteriorated quickly during the morning hours with several inches of snow and increasing winds.  This storm worsened to Blizzard conditions later in the day.

Winter Storm in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 06:30:00 to 11-DEC-10 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winter conditions deteriorated quickly during the morning hours with several inches of snow and increasing winds.  This storm worsened to Blizzard conditions later in the day.

Winter Storm in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 06:30:00 to 11-DEC-10 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Winter conditions deteriorated quickly during the morning hours with several inches of snow and increasing winds.  This storm worsened to Blizzard conditions later in the day.

Blizzard in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 11-DEC-10 12:00:00 to 12-DEC-10 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Mantorville experienced 12 inches of snow in addition to very strong winds and limited visibilities.