A low pressure system developed across the Northern Plains and tracked east through the 6th of December bringing the first winter storm of the season. As the low moved east it continued to intensify and slow down. This brought heavy snowfall to much of northern Minnesota along with a period of blizzard conditions along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Snowfall amounts of 7 to 10 inches were common across the area with higher amounts to 15 to 18 inches. The highest total was from Grand Marais where a storm total of 20.1 inches was recorded. Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Transportation reported hundreds of accidents and spinouts, with 261 crashes reported between 5 PM Saturday and 11 AM Sunday alone.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN CASS, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 02:00:00 to 05-DEC-21 22:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Heavy snowfall fell across southern Cass County and over 6 inches had piled up near Pillager in about 5 hours. Storm totals of 4 to 8 inches were reported when snow ended.

Heavy Snow in KOOCHICHING, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 06:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

While most of the county received less than 6 inches of snow, the far southeastern corner of the county received 7 inches of snow from the storm.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 08:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall totals of 3 to 7 inches were reported across northern St. Louis County with a max report of 7.3 inches at a COOP site near Orr.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN COOK / NORTHERN LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 09:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 04:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall totals of 10 to 15 inches were reported across the northern portions of Lake and Cook counties. The highest reports were from the southern part of the area where terrain effects led to enhanced snowfall with 18 inches reported 20 miles north of Grand Marais.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 04:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 05:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Snowfall of 6 to 12 inches was received across the northern portion of the county.

Heavy Snow in CENTRAL ST. LOUIS, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 03:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Snowfall of 6 to 12 inches was received across the central portion of St. Louis County. The highest reports were along the Iron Range with 15 inches reported near Chisholm being the highest.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN LAKE, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 06:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy snowfall was received in southern Lake County near Lake Superior with both terrain and lake enhancement effects occurring. Snowfall totals of 10 to 14 inches were reported with a high report of 16 near Finland.

Blizzard in SOUTHERN COOK, MINNESOTA
From 06-DEC-21 02:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 13:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

Blizzard conditions lasting almost 12 hours were observed across southern Cook County along the North Shore of Lake Superior. In addition to the blizzard conditions, heavy snowfall blanketed the area in 14 to 18 inches of new snow with upwards of 20 inches just northwest of Grand Marais. Wind gusts near Grand Marais topped out in the 70 to 80 mph range for a period around 6 hours during the morning and mid-day hours. A max gust of 80.1 mph was recorded at 11AM 4 miles west of Grand Marais.

Heavy Snow in NORTHERN CASS, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 00:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 03:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

Widespread snowfall of 6 to 9 inches fell across northern Cass County with a high report of 10 inches at Cass Lake.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN ITASCA, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 02:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Widespread snowfall totals of 8 to 12 inches were reported across southern Itasca County with a high report of 12.7 inches near Cohasset.

Heavy Snow in CROW WING, MINNESOTA
From 04-DEC-21 22:00:00 to 05-DEC-21 23:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: COOP Observer

Snowfall began earlier than expected across Crow Wing County and was heavier than expected as well. The Brainerd area reported 7 inches of accumulation after about 9 hours with totals of 6 to 10 inches by the time the snow ended later that evening.

Heavy Snow in SOUTHERN ST. LOUIS / CARLTON, MINNESOTA
From 05-DEC-21 03:00:00 to 06-DEC-21 06:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Public

Heavy snowfall was reported across southern St. Louis and Carlton counties during the storm with 7 inches reported in Rice Lake in less than 12 hours. Snowfall totals up to a foot were received when snow ended the next morning.