A major winter storm affected the Upper Midwest with snowfall amounts in excess of one foot around the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area that fell during the afternoon and evening of Tuesday, February 2nd.
This storm system began to organize in the central Rockies Monday, February, 1st with heavy snowfall along the lee of the Rockies, and out into the Central Plains by Monday afternoon. This area of snow continued to move east-northeast across the plains, and into the Upper Midwest by Tuesday morning, February 2nd.  Snow started to fall heavily along the Iowa, Minnesota border Tuesday morning before 9 AM CST, and then moved northward, and affected the southern half of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area by noon.
Snowfall rates increased to over one inch per hour as a heavy snow band moved northward across southern Minnesota.  Observed snowfall amounts of 3-6 inches fell near Albert Lea, Fairmont, and Mankato before 2 PM CST with this heavy snowfall band. This heavier snow band started to set up across the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area area by the early afternoon.  Plus, this snow band held nearly steady for 3 hours or more from north of Mankato, to the southern part of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, northeast into portions of west central Wisconsin.  This band eventually moved far enough to the northwest to produced several inches of snow from near Hutchinson, northeast to Buffalo, then east to southern Anoka County, and far southern Chisago County.
Due to a more northwest shift of this system as it moved out into the plains, and Upper Midwest, drier air was able to move into far south central Minnesota, which kept snowfall totals in this area lower than expected. This area also received some freezing drizzle and sleet as warmer air aloft managed to move further to the north.
As this system moved from southwest Iowa Tuesday evening, to southern Wisconsin by Wednesday morning, February 3rd, snowfall began to taper off after midnight. Lingering light snow slowly moved out of eastern Minnesota by late Wednesday morning.
There were major impacts with this storm including numerous county roads and highways in southwest and south central Minnesota closed. This is based on the Minnesota Department of Transportation web site which indicated areas south and west of the Twin Cities had snow covered roads, travel not recommended or closed. This including I-90 west of Albert Lea by 2 PM CST Tuesday due to car accidents and whiteout conditions. Road closures were confined to areas south and west of Mankato to Owatonna, and Albert Lea.
Other impacts included the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, which had 175 flights canceled or delayed by as much as five hours. With high winds and low visibility, flight cancellations and delays escalated through the afternoon and into the evening. In addition, the airport, which normally operates three of its four runways, was down to two during the storm, and sometimes down to one, as plow drivers worked to keep up with the snow.
Total snowfall across the area by Wednesday morning ranged from...
10 to 13 inches across Carver, Hennepin, Scott, Dakota, Washington and Ramsey Counties of the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area, to 6 to 10 inches from Fairmont, north to Mankato, Gaylord, Glencoe, Buffalo, northeast to Anoka and Wyoming. Outside of this area, snowfall amounts decreased rapidly to 1-4 inches, with some areas only receiving a trace or less in portions of west central and central Minnesota.

Winter Storm in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 08:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 inches of snow fell in the county within 4  hours Tuesday morning, with additional light snow, blowing snow and freezing drizzle during the afternoon and evening.

Winter Storm in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 08:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from spotters, to local officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions with road closures. Locally, 6 inches of snow fell in the county within 4 hours Tuesday morning, with additional light snow, blowing snow and freezing drizzle during the afternoon and evening.

Winter Storm in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 08:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 10 inches of snow fell in the county before tapering off by the late afternoon and evening. Windy conditions led to significant blowing and drifting snow through the late evening.

Winter Storm in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 09:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 inches of snow fell in the county by the early afternoon, with additional light snow and blowing snow during the late afternoon and evening.

Winter Storm in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 09:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 8 inches of snow fell in the county by early afternoon, with additional light snow and blowing snow through the evening.

Winter Storm in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 09:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 10 inches of snow fell in the county by the afternoon and early evening.  Additional light snow and blowing snow continued through the evening.

Winter Storm in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 10:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 10 inches of snow fell in the county by the afternoon, with additional light snow and significant blowing snow through the early morning.

Winter Storm in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 10:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 9 inches of snow fell in the county by the afternoon, with additional light snow and significant blowing snow through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that light to moderate snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 inches of snow fell in the county by the evening. In addition, areas of blowing snow reduced visibility below 2 miles through midnight.

Winter Storm in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 10:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county. Locally, 6 inches of snow fell in the county by the evening, along with some blowing and drifting snow through midnight.

Winter Storm in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 10:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph, created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 9 inches of snow fell in the county by the evening, along with areas of blowing snow through midnight.

Winter Storm in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 10:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 8 to 12 inches of snow fell in the county, with areas of blowing snow through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 10:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 9 inches of snow fell by the afternoon, with additional light snow and blowing snow through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county. Locally, 6 to 10 inches of snow fell in the county by the late afternoon, with additional light snow and blowing snow through the early morning.

Winter Storm in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 inches of snow fell in the southern part of the county by the early evening. Blowing snow developing during the afternoon, and continued through the early morning.

Winter Storm in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 12:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county. Locally, 6 to 8 inches of snow fell in the county by early evening, with additional light snow and blowing snow through the early morning.

Winter Storm in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with gusty winds. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 8 to 12 inches of snow fell in the county by the early evening. Additional light snow and blowing snow continued through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 10 to 13 inches of snow fell in the county. In addition, light snow and blowing snow continued through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with sustained winds of 20 to 30 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 7 to 12 inches of snow fell in the county. In addition, light snow and blowing snow continued through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with gusty winds. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 10 to 14 inches of snow fell in the county. In addition, light snow and blowing snow continued through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in ANOKA, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 12:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along gusty winds. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 8 inches of snow fell in the county. In addition, light snow and blowing snow continued through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in CHISAGO, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 13:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county. Locally, 6 inches of snow fell in the southern part of the county with occasional light snow and blowing snow through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county. Locally, 10 to 13 inches of snow fell in the county, with areas of light snow and blowing snow through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 12:30:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with gusty winds of 20 to 35 mph. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 6 to 8 inches of snow fell in the eastern part of the county. Areas of light snow and blowing snow continued through early Wednesday morning.

Winter Storm in WASHINGTON, MINNESOTA
From 02-FEB-16 11:00:00 to 03-FEB-16 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: County Official

Several sources from local airport observations, spotters, and officials indicated that heavy snow fell across the county, along with gusty winds. This created very hazardous driving conditions. Locally, 8 to 13 inches of snow fell in the county, along with areas of light snow and blowing snow through early Wednesday morning.