A strong winter storm dumped 4 to 14 inches of snow across southeast Minnesota from February 23rd into the 24th. As the snow was winding down, the winds increased with sustained winds of 25 to 35 mph common along with gusts of 45 to 55 mph. This created blizzard conditions for much of the 24th with major drifting, white-outs and numerous road closures, including Interstate 90 across Winona, Olmsted and Mower Counties. The weight of the accumulated snow caused several roofs to collapse. Three families were displaced from their mobile homes in Winona County where at least 3 barns also collapsed killing around 14 cows. Businesses in Winona (Winona County) and Dodge Center (Dodge County) lost sections of building roofs. A large pole shed collapse at a business in Oronoco (Olmsted County). In southeast Olmsted County, a barn collapsed killing 10 cows and prompting the owners to sell the rest of their herd and leave the dairy business. Some dairy farms had to dump milk when trucks were unable to make scheduled pick ups and one farm near Lanesboro (Fillmore County) dumped between 6 and 7 thousand gallons. Between 200 and 250 stranded motorists were rescued across southeast Minnesota. Several snowmobile clubs were called upon to utilize trail groomers to help rescue people. The Governor of Minnesota declared a state of emergency allowing the National Guard to be mobilized to help in the rescue efforts. In Wabasha County, a military tank also became stuck in the snow attempting to rescue stranded motorists. In Dodge County, around 100 stranded motorists were rescued and 30 to 40 people were housed in emergency shelters. Olmsted County declared a state of emergency during the storm. The effects of the blizzard continued into the 25th when most schools were closed. The highest reported snowfall amount was 14.3 inches near Rochester (Olmsted County) and the highest recorded wind gust was 58 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester airport.

Blizzard in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 23-FEB-19 18:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 11 to 13 inches of snow fell across Dodge County. As the snow was ending, winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts that created major drifting, white-outs and road closures, including State Highway 56. Around 100 stranded motorists were rescued and 65 to 70 people were housed in emergency shelters. The weight of the accumulated snow caused part of a roof to collapse at a business in Dodge Center. Fire trucks responding to a fire became stuck in the snow and had to be extricated with a front end loader. The impacts from the blizzard conditions caused schools to be closed on February 25th. The highest reported snowfall total was 13 inches near Kasson. The highest recorded wind gust was 51 mph by a mesonet station near Kasson.

Winter Storm in HOUSTON, MINNESOTA
From 23-FEB-19 21:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 07:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 3 to 5 inches of snow fell across Houston County. As the snow was ending, winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts that created major drifting, white-outs and road closures with travel not advised. The impacts from the winter storm caused schools to be closed on February 25th. The highest reported snowfall total was 5.5 inches in Caledonia.

Blizzard in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 23-FEB-19 17:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 9 to 12 inches of snow fell across Mower County. As the snow was ending, winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts that created major drifting, white-outs and road closures, including Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 218. The weight of the accumulated snow caused a barn to collapse north of Austin. The height of the snow next to homes caused the natural gas to go out at over 50 homes in Austin. The impacts from the blizzard conditions caused schools to be closed on February 25th. The highest reported snowfall total was 12.5 inches near Lansing. The highest recorded wind gust was 54 mph by a mesonet station near Dexter.

Blizzard in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 23-FEB-19 19:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:55:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 80.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 10 to 14 inches of snow fell across Olmsted County. As the snow was ending, winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts that created major drifting, white-outs and road closures, including Interstate 90 and U.S. Highways 14, 52 and 63. The weight of the accumulated snow caused a large pole shed to collapse at a business in Oronoco. In the southeast part of the county, a barn collapsed killing 10 cows and prompted the owners to sell the rest of their herd and exit the dairy business. A state of emergency was declared during the storm. The impacts from the blizzard conditions caused the Rochester airport and library to close on February 24th and schools to be closed on February 25th. The highest reported snowfall total was 14.3 inches near Rochester. The highest recorded wind gust was 58 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester airport.

Blizzard in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 23-FEB-19 21:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:05:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 9 to 12 inches of snow fell across Wabasha County. As the snow was ending, winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts that created major drifting, white-outs and road closures, including U.S. Highway 63. A National Guard military tank became stuck in the snow attempting to rescue stranded motorists. The impacts from the blizzard conditions caused schools to be closed on February 25th. The highest reported snowfall total was 12.2 inches near Theilman. The highest recorded wind gust was 51 mph by a mesonet station near Zumbro Falls.

Blizzard in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 23-FEB-19 20:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 410.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 3 to 13 inches of snow fell across Winona County. As the snow was ending, winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts that created major drifting, white-outs and road closures, including Interstate 90 and U.S. Highway 14. The weight of the accumulated snow caused the roofs to collapse on three mobile homes, 3 barns, around two dozen agricultural buildings and a business in Winona also lost part of a roof. Around 14 cattle were killed in the barn collapses. Emergency shelters were opened in Lewiston and St. Charles were just over 100 stranded motorists seeked refuge from the storm. The impacts from the blizzard conditions caused schools to be closed on February 25th. The highest reported snowfall total was 13.5 inches in Minnesota City.

Blizzard in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 23-FEB-19 20:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 19:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 8.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 5 to 12 inches of snow fell across FillmoreCounty. As the snow was ending, winds increased to 25 to 35 mph with higher gusts that created major drifting, white-outs and road closures, including U.S. Highways 52 and 63. A dairy farm near Lanesboro had to dump between 6 and 7 thousand gallons of milk. The impacts from the blizzard conditions caused schools to be closed on February 25th. The highest reported snowfall total was 12 inches in Chatfield.