A powerful storm system that brought blizzard conditions to a wide area of southern and central Minnesota, as well as adjacent west central Wisconsin, developed early Saturday morning in the southern Rockies. The storm moved out into the Plains of Kansas Saturday morning, February 23th, and tracked northeast to northern Missouri by the afternoon. The storm kept steady during this time frame, but intensified rapidly during the evening and overnight period of Saturday and Sunday, February 23rd and 24th. The storm dropped 20 millibars from Saturday evening, through Sunday morning as it moved from northern Missouri, to the northern Great Lakes.
Snow began in southern Minnesota Saturday afternoon February 23th, and ended Sunday morning. The heaviest snowfall occurred from south of Blue Earth (Faribault County), to Faribault, and Hastings in Minnesota, and to River Falls, and Rice Lake in west central Wisconsin. These areas received between 6 and 12 inches of snow, with localized areas of 12+ inches.
Roads began to close in south central Minnesota before 10 PM CST, Saturday, February 23rd. As winds increased during the night, and Sunday morning, several other roads, including I-35 & I-90 closed due to impassable conditions. The road closures extended northward across portions of southwest, west central and southeast Minnesota as winds increased and snow drifted over the road Sunday. Several social media pictures indicated that snow drifts were as high as 20 feet in some locations in southern Minnesota. Even military vehicles that are made for deep snow, became stuck.
Wind speeds started to increase late Saturday night, and peaked Sunday, and slowly subsided Sunday afternoon and evening as the storm system moved out of the region. However, some roads in south central Minnesota remained closed through Monday as snow plows reported drifts in excess of 20 feet.
During the height of the storm, the Minnesota Homeland Security and Emergency Management tallied approximately 600 stranded travelers who were rescued off of snow-filled ditches, drifted shut roads, and snowbanks.
Troopers and the Minnesota Department of Transportation officials worked near 24 hours straight to get stranded motorists out of the Straight River rest stop along I-35 south of Owatonna. In Blue Earth County, 150 vehicles were reported off the roads, some were rescued. Seven vehicles were reported off the road in Red Wing. In Freeborn County, crews worked to rescue nine people from two trains stuck on tracks. As individuals were rescued, numerous shelters were opened across southern Minnesota.
The following was the breakdown of the rescues across southern Minnesota;
Brown County: 5.
Chippewa County: 21.
Cottonwood County: 8.
Freeborn County: 91 (including from stranded trains).
Le Sueur County: 46.
Renville County: 33.
Rice County: 30.
Steele County: 200-plus.
Stevens County: 12.
Swift County: 20.
Watonwan County: 10.

Blizzard in DAKOTA, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning and afternoon, with a few roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 45 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 3 to 5 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 5.2 inches near Miesville.

Blizzard in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 02:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning and afternoon, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning and afternoon, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed. Some of the roads, including I-90, closed as early as 10 PM CST on Saturday, February 23rd. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell late Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 45 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 02:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 02:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 inches across the county.

Blizzard in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 06:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing Sunday morning, February 24th. A few roads closed by Sunday afternoon afternoon due to white out conditions. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 45 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard in SCOTT, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the afternoon with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light to moderate snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 2 to 4 inches across the county.

Blizzard in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the afternoon with a few car accidents. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, light snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 1 to 3 inches across the county.

Blizzard in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 11:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. Some roads became impassable during the afternoon as significant drifts developed. Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with occasional gusts of 40 mph at times during the height of the storm.

Blizzard in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed, including I-35 in the county. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, heavy snowfall Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 8 to 12 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 11.5 inches near Albert Lea.

Blizzard in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed, including I-35 in the county. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, heavy snowfall Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 6 to 11 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 11.0 inches near Ellendale.

Blizzard in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 00:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed. Some of the roads, including I-90, closed as early as 10 PM CST on Saturday, February 23rd. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, moderate to heavy snow fell late Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 6 to 7 inches across the southeast part of the county. There was a measured report of 7.2 inches near Bricelyn.

Blizzard in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 01:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing early Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the morning, with numerous roads closed, along with several car accidents. During the height of the storm, people who ventured outdoors, became stuck and disoriented, and had to be rescued.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, moderate to heavy snow fell Saturday afternoon, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 8 inches in the far southeast portion of Waseca County.

Blizzard in RICE, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 09:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local wind sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the afternoon, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 45 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, moderate to heavy snow fell Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of around 7 inches in the far southeast portion of Rice County.

Blizzard in GOODHUE, MINNESOTA
From 24-FEB-19 05:00:00 to 24-FEB-19 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

Several sources of weather observations, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation, and local airport sensors, indicated blizzard conditions developing Sunday morning, February 24th. The weather conditions deteriorated during the day, with several roads closed, along with a few car accidents.  Winds were sustained over 30 mph, with gusts of 50 mph at times during the height of the storm.
In addition, heavy snowfall Saturday evening, through early Sunday morning, led to storm totals of 6 to 11 inches across the county. There was a measured report of 11.2 inches near Zumbrota.