A strong winter storm moved across the Upper Midwest on January 17th and 18th. The storm generally dropped 3 to 5 inches of snow across the area followed by a light coating of ice from freezing drizzle. Despite the snow becoming ice crusted, wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph broke up the ice and snow, producing blowing snow and blizzard conditions from the morning of the 18th through much of the afternoon. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter of a mile during the blizzard conditions with drifting snow impacting most roads. The highest recorded wind gust was 53 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester airport (Olmsted County). Due to the hazardous conditions, Dodge County pulled their snowplows off the roads on the 18th and travel was not advised across the county.

Winter Storm in WABASHA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JAN-20 14:00:00 to 18-JAN-20 12:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

COOP and volunteer snow observers reported that 3 to 4 inches of snow fell across Wabasha County. A period of freezing drizzle created a coating of ice on top of the snow. Some blowing and drifting snow occurred during the morning and afternoon of the 18th with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph. The highest recorded wind gust was 38 mph by a mesonet station near Kellogg.

Winter Storm in WINONA, MINNESOTA
From 17-JAN-20 14:00:00 to 18-JAN-20 11:30:00 (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 Winona County. A period of freezing drizzle created a coating of ice on top of the snow. Some blowing and drifting snow occurred during the morning and afternoon of the 18th with wind gusts of 30 to 40 mph.

Blizzard in DODGE, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-20 08:00:00 to 18-JAN-20 16:30:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Dodge County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Three to five inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle. The highest recorded wind gust was 37 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Dodge Center airport. The county snowplows were pulled off the roads on the 18th because of the hazardous conditions and travel was not advised until the following day.

Blizzard in MOWER, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-20 08:15:00 to 18-JAN-20 17:15:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 25.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Mower County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Around 4 inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle. The highest recorded wind gust was 40 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Austin airport. Around 30 accidents occurred throughout the county as a result of the storm.

Blizzard in OLMSTED, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-20 09:10:00 to 18-JAN-20 17:35:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Olmsted County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Three to four inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle. The highest recorded wind gust was 53 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Rochester airport.

Blizzard in FILLMORE, MINNESOTA
From 18-JAN-20 09:30:00 to 18-JAN-20 18:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Blizzard conditions occurred across Fillmore County during the late morning and afternoon of January 18th. The visibility was reduced to around a quarter mile in blowing snow as wind gusts of 35 to 45 mph occurred. Prior to the blizzard conditions, a period of winter storm conditions occurred from the afternoon of the 17th into the morning of the 18th. Around 3 inches of snow fell along with a coating of ice from freezing drizzle. The highest recorded wind gust was 44 mph by the automated weather observing equipment at the Preston airport.