A large storm system began to organize across the southern Rockies the morning of Wednesday, December 19th.  This storm intensified as it moved out into the Plains, and across the Mid-Mississippi River Valley, then northeast across the southern Great Lakes by Thursday night, December 20th. Light snow developed across portions of southern Minnesota the evening of Wednesday, December 19th. Most of the snowfall was light during the early evening, but started to intensify after 9 pm across far southern Minnesota, northeast across portions of west-central Wisconsin.  One of the heavier snow bands developed from near Fairmont, northeast toward Owatonna. Snowfall rates were near 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch per hour from 10 pm to 1 am in this area. This snow band slowly moved southeast and weakened by 3 am as it moved into southeast Minnesota. Wind increased during the morning and caused considerable blowing and drifting snow, before tapering off during the afternoon.

Blizzard in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

After 4 to 6 inches of snow fell during the early morning hours, winds increased during the morning, and caused white out conditions by the afternoon.  Interstate 35, south of Albert Lea was closed due to white-out conditions along with impassable roads.

Winter Storm in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 19-DEC-12 20:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Light snow developed during the evening, with the heaviest snowfall between 10 pm and 2 am. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches in the southeast portion of the county. Significant blowing snow developed during the overnight hours and dropped surface visibilities to less than a mile for a few hours.

Winter Storm in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Light snow developed during the evening, with the heaviest snowfall between 11 pm and 3 am. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 6 inches, with the heaviest in the southeast corner. Significant blowing snow developed during the overnight hours and dropped surface visibilities to less than a mile for a few hours.

Winter Storm in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 19-DEC-12 20:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Light snow developed during the evening, with the heaviest snowfall between 10 pm and 2 am. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches in the southeast portion of the county. Significant blowing snow develop during the overnight hours and dropped surface visibilities to less than a mile for a few hours.

Winter Storm in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Light snow developed during the evening, with the heaviest snowfall between 11 pm and 3 am. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 6 inches, with the heaviest in the southeast corner. Significant blowing snow developed during the overnight hours and dropped surface visibilities to less than a mile for a few hours.

Winter Storm in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 19-DEC-12 20:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Light snow developed during the evening, with the heaviest snowfall between 10 pm and 2 am. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 2 to 4 inches in the southeast portion of the county. Significant blowing snow developed during the overnight hours and dropped surface visibilities to less than a mile for a few hours.

Winter Storm in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 19-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Light snow developed during the evening, with the heaviest snowfall between 10 pm and 2 am. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 3 to 5 inches, with the heaviest in the southeast corner. Significant blowing snow developed during the overnight hours and dropped surface visibilities to less than a mile for a few hours.

Winter Storm in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 19-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 20-DEC-12 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Light snow developed during the evening, with the heaviest snowfall between 10 pm and 3 am. Total snowfall amounts ranged from 4 to 6 inches, with the heaviest in the southeast corner. Significant blowing snow developed during the overnight hours and dropped surface visibilities to less than a mile for a few hours.  Blizzard conditions developed after 6 am as surface winds increased to over 25 mph, with gusts over 35 mph.