A slow moving storm dumped more than a foot of snow in parts of the Upper Midwest, making roads treacherous or impassable and leading to one fatal crash near Red Wing, Minnesota.
The storm began in the northern Rockies, and moved eastward across South Dakota the morning of Saturday, December 8th.  An old frontal boundary that lied across the central Plains, lifted northward and developed into an inverted trough across the Mississippi River Valley that afternoon. This inverted trough and the merging of the storm system across South Dakota, provided the energy and moisture to cause a significant winter storm across the Upper Midwest.
The heaviest snowfall totals occurred along Highway 212 from near Montevideo in west-central Minnesota, eastward across the Twin Cities, and into portions of west-central Wisconsin. This storm had two periods of heavy snowfall. One of the heavier events occurred early Sunday morning after 2 am where several bands of light to moderate snow fell across the western suburbs of the Twin Cities, northward into the St. Cloud area. Locally 4 to 7 inches fell from near Buffalo, northward to Sauk Centre in a 6 hour period.
The second heavier snowfall event occurred during the mid morning/early afternoon time period where the center of the storm system moved from southwest Minnesota, to east-central Minnesota.  Several areas of southwest and west-central Minnesota had snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour.  The town of Sacred Heart had a 17 inch total by the late morning due to these heavier snow bands. Eventually the storm affected the Twin Cities area, and then went into west-central Wisconsin by the mid afternoon hours.  Locally 12 to 16 inches fell across the central and northern part of the Twin Cities metro area. The heaviest snowfall report was near Lake Elmo with a snowfall total of 17 inches.  This system officially dropped 10.6 inches of snow at the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport. This report at the airport was the heaviest snowfall since the blizzard on December 12, 2010 that caused the Metro dome roof to collapse.
Blizzard conditions, blowing and drifting snow made visibility so poor that the state Department of Transportation pulled snowplows off some highways in southwest and west Minnesota on Sunday afternoon. The Minnesota State Patrol reported more than 600 crashes by Monday morning, and at least 1,140 spin outs. One person was killed in a crash involving a semi near Red Wing and injuries were reported in 63 other accidents, the State Patrol said.

Winter Storm in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the late evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 12 to 17 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 8 to 14 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the late evening, totals ranged from 10 to 16 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 18:30:00 to 09-DEC-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the western part of the county during the early evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier overnight, and during the morning hours with totals ranging from 10 to 16 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the southeast corner of the county.

Winter Storm in CHISAGO, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 01:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 10 to 17 inches across the county. The heaviest snowfall occurred in the southern part of the county.

Winter Storm in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 9 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 12 to 14 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 19:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the southern part of the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier overnight, and during the morning hours with totals ranging from 6 to 10 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the southeastern one-half of the county.

Winter Storm in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 23:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the late evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 12 to 16 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in ISANTI, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 9 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 12 to 17 inches across the county. The heaviest snowfall occurred in the southern part of the county.

Winter Storm in KANABEC, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 9 am and noon By the early evening, totals ranged from 6 to 11 inches across the county. The heaviest snowfall amounts were in the southern part of the county.

Winter Storm in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 20:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the western part of the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon. By the early evening, totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 17:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the western part of the county during the late afternoon of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier overnight, and during the morning hours with totals ranging from 10 to 16 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the southeast corner of the county.

Winter Storm in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 23:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon in the far northern part of the county. By the early evening, totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches in the far north, to around 4 inches in the south.

Winter Storm in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon. By the early evening, totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon. By the early evening, totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in MILLE LACS, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 6 am and 9 am. By the early evening, totals ranged from 6 to 14 inches across the county. The heaviest snowfall amounts were in the southern part of the county.

Winter Storm in MORRISON, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 6 am and 9. By the early afternoon, totals ranged from 6 to 12 inches across the county. The heaviest occurred in the southern one-quarter of the county.

Winter Storm in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 19:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the southern part of the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier overnight, and during the morning hours with totals ranging from 8 to 10 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the southeastern one-half of the county.

Winter Storm in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 19:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the western part of the county during the early evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier during the morning hours with totals ranging from 10 to 16 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the northern one-half of the county.

Winter Storm in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 19:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the western part of the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier toward morning, with very heavy snowfall rates of 2 inches per hour around 6 am. By the afternoon, the snowfall tapered off, but totals ranged from 12 to 17 inches by Sunday evening, December 9th. The heaviest amount was in Sacred Heart where a local observer reported 17.3 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon in the far northern part of the county. By the early evening, totals ranged from 6 to 12 inches in the far north, to around 4 inches in the south.

Winter Storm in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 00:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 12 to 16 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 23:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the late evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in SHERBURNE, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 10 to 16 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon. By the early evening, totals ranged from 8 to 12 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 8 to 14 inches across the county. The heaviest snowfall occurred in the southeastern part of the county.

Winter Storm in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 18:30:00 to 09-DEC-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the southern part of the county during the early evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier overnight, and during the morning hours with totals ranging from 4 to 8 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the southeastern one-half of the county.

Winter Storm in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 18:30:00 to 09-DEC-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the western part of the county during the early evening of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier overnight, and during the morning hours with totals ranging from 6 to 10 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the eastern one-half of the county.

Winter Storm in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 6 am and 9. By the early afternoon, totals ranged from 6 to 10 inches across the county. The heaviest occurred in the southern one-quarter of the county.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 01:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 12 to 17 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 22:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm. By the early evening, totals ranged from 10 to 14 inches across the county.

Winter Storm in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 17:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the western part of the county during the late afternoon of Saturday, December 8th. the snow became heavier overnight, and during the morning hours with totals ranging from 10 to 16 inches by Sunday afternoon, December 9th. The heaviest amounts were in the southeast corner of the county.

Winter Storm in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 20:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon in the far northern part of the county. By the early evening, totals ranged from 8 to 10 inches in the far north, to around 4 inches in the south.

Winter Storm in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 08-DEC-12 21:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the evening of Saturday, December 8th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and noon in the far northern part of the county. By the early evening, totals ranged from 8 to 10 inches in the far north, to around 4 inches in the south.

Winter Storm in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 09-DEC-12 02:00:00 to 09-DEC-12 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snow developed across the county during the early morning of Sunday, December 9th. The snow became heavier toward morning, with heavier bands of snow between 8 am and 3 pm in the far northern part of the county. By the early evening, totals ranged from 8 to 14 inches in the far north, to around 4 inches in the south.  A 21-year-old man was killed in a multi-vehicle accident near Red Wing Sunday afternoon due to the hazardous road conditions.