The morning of Wednesday, February 12th, an Arctic front moved rapidly southward across the Dakotas, and into Minnesota. Temperatures fell 10 to 20 degrees in less than a couple hours as this front moved through the area. Along with the falling temperatures, wind speeds increased to 25 to 35 mph, with gusts in the 40 to 50 mph range in west central Minnesota by mid-morning, and across southwest/south central Minnesota by afternoon. Light snow accompanied the front, but as winds increased, visibility dropped to less than one quarter of a mile. This was noted on several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Local webcams, and MNDOT mobile cameras also supported the blizzard conditions. The worst conditions occurred along the South Dakota, Minnesota border where the strongest winds were reported. Satellite imagery also noted the contrast of where blowing snow occurred, and where skies were clear.
By the mid to late afternoon, temperatures fell well below zero in west-central Minnesota, with wind chills already exceeding -35F in Stevens County. These cold wind chills expanded south and east across Minnesota, and by the evening a broad area of wind chill values of -35 to -45 degrees developed. These wind chill values lasted through Thursday morning before temperatures rose, and wind speeds decreased.
Some of the lowest wind chill values during this time include:
-48F at Benson.
-46 at St. James.
-45 at Fairmont.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SHERBURNE, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Blizzard in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 08:30:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by mid morning across western Chippewa County. Winds were gusting up to 35 to 45 mph, with surface visibility less than one quarter of a mile at the Montevideo Airport. The Minnesota Department of Transportation weather sensor at Clara City also indicated blizzard conditions.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MORRISON, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 00:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Blizzard in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 11:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by late morning across Yellow Medicine County. Winds were gusting up to 35 to 45 mph, with surface visibility less than one quarter of a mile at the Canby Airport. The Minnesota Department of Transportation weather sensor at Hanley Falls also indicated blizzard conditions.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in ISANTI, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in FREEBORN, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 07:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F Thursday morning for a few hours.

Blizzard in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 12:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by early afternoon across Redwood County. Winds were gusting up to 30 to 40 mph, with surface visibility less than one quarter of a mile at the Tracy and Redwood Airport.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in STEELE, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 07:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F Thursday morning for a few hours.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 11:30:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by early afternoon across Redwood County. Winds were gusting up to 30 to 40 mph, with surface visibility less than one quarter of a mile at the Olivia Airport.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BLUE EARTH, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Blizzard in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 13:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by early afternoon across western Brown County. Winds were gusting up to 30 to 40 mph.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Blizzard in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 14:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by mid afternoon across western Watonwan County. Winds were gusting up to 30 to 40 mph.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in FARIBAULT, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 12:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early afternoon of February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 14:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid afternoon of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 14:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid afternoon of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 14:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid afternoon of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in CARVER, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 15:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid afternoon of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 15:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid afternoon of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in LE SUEUR, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 16:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid afternoon of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WASECA, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Blizzard in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 07:30:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by mid morning across Stevens County. Winds were gusting up to 45 to 50 mph, with surface visibility less than one quarter of a mile at the Morris Airport. By the afternoon, the local sheriff officials advised no travel.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 16:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid afternoon of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Blizzard in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 08:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by mid morning across western Swift County. Winds were gusting up to 45 to 50 mph, with surface visibility less than one quarter of a mile at the Appleton Airport.  The Benson airport reported one quarter of a mile visibility by noon.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in WRIGHT, MINNESOTA
From 13-FEB-20 03:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early Thursday morning, February 13th. These wind chill values continued through Thursday morning.

Blizzard in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 09:00:00 to 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather sensors, including the Minnesota Department of Transportation webcams, and local observations, indicated blizzard conditions by mid morning across Lac Qui Parle  County. Winds were gusting up to 35 to 45 mph, with surface visibility less than one quarter of a mile at the Madison Airport.  The Minnesota Department of Transportation weather sensor along the South Dakota/Minnesota border also indicated blizzard conditions.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 18:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by early evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.

Extreme Cold/Wind Chill in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 12-FEB-20 21:00:00 to 13-FEB-20 10:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: AWOS

Weather sensors indicated that wind chill values dropped below -35F by mid evening of Wednesday, February 12th. These wind chill values continued until Thursday morning.