A low pressure system developed over eastern Colorado early on the 28th and moved northeastward through the day across the Central Plains and into Upper Michigan by sunrise on the 29th. Favorable conditions for heavy snow were in place across northeastern Minnesota with snow beginning first during the morning hours across the Brainerd Lakes area and spreading northeastward into the afternoon. The forward progress of the system was slower than anticipated and areas of lake and terrain enhancement led to higher snowfall totals than expected over parts of the area. Snowfall of 6 to 8 inches was received over much of northeastern Minnesota with heavier amounts in excess of a foot along the North Shore and along parts of the Iron Range before snow ended that evening and early morning hours. A two vehicle collision just west of Ely resulted in one fatality (indirect) and three serious injuries (indirect) due to the snow and ice covered road.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN CASS, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 10:00:00 to 28-DEC-21 21:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall totals of 5 to 7 inches were reported across northern Cass County with high reports of 7 inches at both Cass Lake and Federal Dam.

Heavy Snow in KOOCHICHING, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 10:00:00 to 29-DEC-21 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Snowfall totals of 6 to 10 inches were reported across the county with a high report of 10.3 inches on Rainy Lake east of International Falls.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 12:00:00 to 29-DEC-21 01:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were observed across the northern part of the county, although higher totals were most likely received in far northern parts of the county which is wilderness area. The highest total received was 6.5 inches near Buyck.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 09:00:00 to 28-DEC-21 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Snowfall totals from the northern part of the county were in the 6 to 10 inch range with a max report of a foot about 16 miles north of Bovey.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN COOK, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 16:00:00 to 29-DEC-21 02:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall totals across southern Cook County were generally in the 3 to 5 inch range with a maximum report of 6 inches just east of Grand Marais.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 09:00:00 to 28-DEC-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall reports from the southern portion of Itasca County were in the 4 to 8 inch range with a high report of 9 inches in Grand Rapids.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN CASS, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 07:00:00 to 28-DEC-21 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall reports of 5 to 7 inches were received from the southern portion of Cass County with a high report of 8 inches near Lake Shore.

Heavy Snow in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 08:00:00 to 28-DEC-21 20:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall totals across the county were generally under 6 inches, but a few 6 inch reports were received from the Brainerd area.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 13:00:00 to 28-DEC-21 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy lake and terrain-enhanced snowfall fell across southern Lake County leading to totals of 8 to 12 inches. The highest report was 14 inches 10 miles north of Two Harbors.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 28-DEC-21 11:00:00 to 28-DEC-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

An area of enhanced snowfall set up along the Iron Range during the event leading to totals of 5 to 7 inches with a high report of 8 inches near Celina. A two vehicle collision due to the ice and snow covered roads that occurred along Highway 1 west of Ely resulted in one fatality (indirect) and three serious injuries (indirect).