The morning of Friday, January 18th, a storm system moved out of the Rockies, and into the Northern Plains, and Upper Midwest. The surface low developed across the Southern Plains and moved eastward. In our region, a large Arctic high pressure system was centered north of the international border.
An area of light snow developed Friday morning across far southern Minnesota. By the late morning, and into the afternoon, strong forcing developed in the mid levels of the atmosphere. This forcing developed an enhanced band of moderate to heavy snow, with snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour. This enhanced region of snowfall quickly added up with areas from St. James, to Fairmont, eastward to Mapleton, Albert Lea, and south of Owatonna, receiving over six inches by the mid afternoon. The snow continued through the evening, before ending around midnight.
Several pictures of the snowfall came from the general public, local media and trained observers through social media. By the evening, a large swath of 8 to 12 inches of snow fell in this enhanced band that occurred earlier that day.
Here are some of the heavier totals from this storm.
12.5 inches at Mapleton.
12 inches at Winnebago.
11.8 inches east of Albert Lea.
11.0 inches north of Albert Lea.
10.5 inches in the city of Albert Lea.

Winter Storm in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 07:00:00 to 19-JAN-19 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several reports of heavy snowfall amounts occurred in Blue Earth County. The heaviest occurred in the southern 1/4 of the county with amounts of 8 to 12 inches. The highest total was measured at Mapleton with 12.5 inches. This report came from a social media picture. Snowfall amounts were much lighter in the northern part of the county where Mankato only received 4 to 5 inches.

Winter Storm in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 07:00:00 to 18-JAN-19 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Most of the county only received 4 to 5 inches of snow, but a few locations along the Watonwan County line had up to 6 inches before the snowfall tapered off that evening.

Winter Storm in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 07:00:00 to 19-JAN-19 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several reports of heavy snowfall amounts occurred in in Faribault County. The heaviest occurred in the northern 1/4 of the county with amounts of 8 to 12 inches. The highest total was measured near Winnebago at 12.0 inches. The southern part of the county had an average of 6 to 8 inches.

Winter Storm in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 07:00:00 to 19-JAN-19 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several reports of heavy snowfall amounts occurred in Freeborn County. Most of the county received between 8 and 12 inches of snow. The highest total was measured near the Freeborn, Mower county line with 11.8 inches.

Winter Storm in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 07:00:00 to 19-JAN-19 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several reports of heavy snowfall amounts occurred in Martin County. Most of the county received between 8 and 10 inches of snow. The highest total was measured and sent via social media from Sherburn. The report was 10 inches of snow.

Winter Storm in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 08:00:00 to 19-JAN-19 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Several reports of heavy snowfall amounts occurred in Steele County. However, the heaviest amounts occurred in the southern 1/4 of the county. the town of Ellendale reported 8 inches of snow. Owatonna received around 6 inches, with most of northern Steele County only receiving 4 to 5 inches.

Winter Storm in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 08:00:00 to 19-JAN-19 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Two reports of heavy snowfall occurred in Waseca County. The higher amounts occurred in the southern 1/4 of the county. The town of New Richland reported 8.5 inches of snow. The city of Waseca received around 5 inches.

Winter Storm in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-19 07:00:00 to 19-JAN-19 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A couple of reports of heavy snowfall amounts occurred in Watonwan County. Most of the county received between 6 and 10 inches of snow.