An area of low pressure that moved from northern Minnesota, eastward across the northern Great Lakes early Monday morning, intensified and created winds of 30 to 40 mph, with occasional gusts in excess of 45-50 mph across west central Minnesota. Although initially temperatures warmed into the 30s and created a crust on the top layer of snow, winds intensified, and along with some light snow that developed, caused the top layer to blow off and create blizzard conditions for several hours during the afternoon, and evening hours of Monday, February 18th. Several highways and county roads were closed due to the blowing snow, along with numerous accidents as surface visibilities dropped to less than a few hundred feet at times as winds gusted up to 50 mph. Winds slowly subsided late in the evening, but considerable drifting snow continued along with some areas of blowing snow.

Blizzard in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 20:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and early evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Montevideo, indicated near zero visibilities at times, with road closures on Highway 7, and 23 during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Willmar indicated near zero visibilities at times, with road closures on Highway 23, and 71 during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and early evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation in the southwest part of the county, indicated near zero visibilities at times, with no travel recommended.

Blizzard in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Madison indicated near zero visibilities at times, with travel not recommended throughout the county during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and early evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Glenwood indicated near zero visibilities at times, with no travel advised during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and early evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Morris indicated near zero visibilities at times, with no travel advised during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 19:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and early evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Benson indicated near zero visibilities at times, with no travel advised during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the late afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at New Ulm indicated near zero visibilities at times, with a road closure on Highway 15 during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 12:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 22:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Canby indicated near zero visibilities at times, with a road closure on Highway 67 during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 15:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Redwood Falls indicated near zero visibilities at times, with road closures on Highway 71, and 67 during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 15:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at Olivia indicated near zero visibilities at times, with road closures on Highway 71, and 212 during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the late afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and surface observations at New Ulm indicated near zero visibilities at times, with road closures on Highway 14, and 4 during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-13 17:00:00 to 18-FEB-13 23:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Wind speeds increased to over 30 mph, with gusts in excess of 45 mph at times during the late afternoon and evening. Surface visibilities based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation, indicated near zero visibilities at times, with road closures on Highway 15, and 19 during the height of the storm..