During the morning of Thursday, January 8th, snow fell across a wide area of Minnesota, with the heaviest in the eastern part of the state. Previous snowfall that occurred Monday, January 5th, plus a light dusting that occurred Thursday morning, combined with increasing northwest winds to produce blizzard conditions across a large area of western and southern Minnesota.
By the early afternoon, winds started to gust over 50 mph in west central Minnesota. Area road weather cameras, plus the Minnesota Department of Transportation and local authorities, began to see numerous accidents develop. By 2 pm, several highways from west central Minnesota, southwest along the Minnesota River Valley, and along the Minnesota/Iowa border, closed due to severe blowing and drifting and car accidents. Conditions improved by the mid to late evening as winds slowly decreased and blowing snow lessened.

Blizzard in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 12:30:00 to 08-JAN-15 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the late morning with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous, especially near the Minnesota River  where whiteout conditions were observed. Conditions started to improve during the afternoon, but roads remained hazardous until after 6 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 12:00:00 to 08-JAN-15 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A cold front moved across the region by late morning with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous in the western part of the county with some whiteout conditions. Conditions started to improve by the mid afternoon hours as the combination of weakening winds, and lack of snow cover resulted in improved visibility.

Blizzard in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 12:30:00 to 08-JAN-15 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the late morning with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve after 6 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 15:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 16:00:00 to 08-JAN-15 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the late afternoon with winds gusting up to 45 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with numerous accidents during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening but remained very hazardous until after 10 pm.

Blizzard in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 13:00:00 to 08-JAN-15 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the early afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous by mid afternoon in the far southwest corner. Conditions started to improve by 6 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 12:30:00 to 08-JAN-15 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the late morning with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve after 6 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:30:00 to 08-JAN-15 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 45 mph in open country, especially in the far southwest part of Mcleod County. Roads became hazardous with accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after 9 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 13:30:00 to 08-JAN-15 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the early afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after 9 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 13:00:00 to 08-JAN-15 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the early afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after 9 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 16:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the late afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several accidents during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 13:30:00 to 08-JAN-15 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the early afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country, especially in the far western part of the county. Roads became hazardous with several accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after 9 pm as winds lessened.

Blizzard in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 16:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the late afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several accidents reported during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 14:00:00 to 09-JAN-15 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

A cold front moved across the region by the mid afternoon with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous with several roads closed during the height of the blizzard. Conditions started to improve during the evening, but roads remained very hazardous until after midnight as winds lessened.

Blizzard in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 08-JAN-15 12:00:00 to 08-JAN-15 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Social Media

A cold front moved across the region by late morning with winds gusting up to 50 mph in open country. Roads became hazardous in the western part of the county with some whiteout conditions. Conditions started to improve by the mid afternoon hours as the combination of weakening winds and lack of snow cover resulted in improved visibility.