On Wednesday, December 23rd, snow, mixed with rain, sleet, and freezing rain, was observed across much of Minnesota, and west-central Wisconsin as an intense weather system moved from west to east through the region. It produced several inches of snow with rates as high as 1-2 inches per hour at times during the height of the storm.
Temperatures plummeted with strong winds gusting as high as 30-45 mph out of the northwest behind the low pressure system. Temperatures reached as high as the mid-40s during the morning before bottoming out in the single digits to teens above zero by midnight.
A robust mid to upper-level trough approaching the region continued to strengthen before closing off, with a surface response in the form of a deepening low pressure system. This combined with incredible mid-level lapse rates produced significant lift and widespread precipitation, with an intense pressure gradient resulting in strong winds as the system moved eastwards.
Winds intensified alongside bands of heavy snow during the late afternoon, which resulted in widespread snow. Visibilities dropped below 1 mile across the region and remained low for several hours. Snowfall diminished during the late evening and into early Thursday morning but winds remained strong enough to support blowing snow conditions into the mid-morning on Thursday in some spots.

Winter Storm in PIERCE, WISCONSIN
From 23-DEC-20 15:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Mainly rain, mixed with sleet fell Wednesday morning and early afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived during the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blowing snow developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.

Winter Storm in ST. CROIX, WISCONSIN
From 23-DEC-20 14:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Mainly sleet, snow, and rain fell Wednesday morning and early afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived during the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blowing snow developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.

Winter Storm in BARRON, WISCONSIN
From 23-DEC-20 15:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Mainly sleet, mixed with snow, fell Wednesday early afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived during the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blowing snow developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.

Winter Storm in POLK, WISCONSIN
From 23-DEC-20 14:00:00 to 23-DEC-20 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Mainly sleet, mixed with snow fell late Wednesday morning and early afternoon across the county. As much colder air arrived during the afternoon, temperatures dropped quickly which changed a mixture of precipitation over to snow. The snow became heavy by the late afternoon. By early evening, blowing snow developed and continued through the evening. Wind gusts of 25 to 35 mph were frequently achieved during the height of the storm.