A strong cold front moved across Minnesota during the early morning hours of Thursday, January 16th. Light snow fell during the morning, but wind speeds increased to 25 to 35 mph, with gusts over 45 mph across west-central Minnesota shortly after sunrise Thursday morning. These stronger winds, and even higher wind gusts, moved southward across western Minnesota by noon, and across south central Minnesota by the mid afternoon hours. Peak wind gusts were between 50 to 55 mph near Morris, Madison and Lake Crystal during the height of the storm, with wind gusts between 40 to 50 mph across the rest of west central and south central Minnesota.
Blowing snow became prevalent once the wind speeds increased, with whiteout conditions by mid to late morning in west central Minnesota, and by the early to mid afternoon hours across south central Minnesota. Area web cams and surface observations from ASOS, AWOS and RWIS sites indicated that blizzard conditions had occurred for several hours.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation reported numerous roadways as nearly impassable or had no travel advised during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from mid  morning through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 53 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 09:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from mid morning through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 49 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 13:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours the afternoon and early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 52 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 13:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours the afternoon and early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 49 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 11:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from late morning through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 48 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 09:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from mid morning through the late afternoon of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 48 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 14:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 18:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from mid afternoon through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 48 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 14:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours during the afternoon of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 41 mph occurred during the height of the storm. There was also several accidents due to the white out conditions along interstate 35.

Blizzard in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 11:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from late morning through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 46 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 10:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from mid morning through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 52 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 14:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from mid afternoon through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 48 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 14:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours during the afternoon of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 45 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 13:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from early afternoon through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 49 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 13:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 21:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from early afternoon through the evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 47 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 11:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from late morning through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 48 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 09:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from mid morning through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 48 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 12:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Several sources from ASOS/AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from early afternoon through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 50 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 12:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from ASOS/AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from early afternoon through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 50 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 13:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from early afternoon through the early evening of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 48 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 10:00:00 to 16-JAN-14 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours from late morning through the late afternoon of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 43 mph occurred during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 16-JAN-14 14:30:00 to 16-JAN-14 17:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Several sources from AWOS and local observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation web cam sites, indicated blizzard conditions for several hours during the afternoon of Thursday, January 16th. A peak wind gust of 47 mph occurred during the height of the storm. There was also several accidents due to the white out conditions along interstate 35.