A strong northwesterly jet streak digging through the central Rockies produced intense and deep cyclogenesis across Iowa on January 14 and 15. Initial precipitation swept through the area as rain, but a surge of cold air into the slowing cyclone wrapped snowfall back into southwest Minnesota as winds increased to 35 to 55 mph, resulting in widespread blizzard conditions.

Blizzard in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-21 20:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 45 mph at Pipestone (PQN) resulted in widespread near whiteout conditions. Most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 6.0 inches at Pipestone and 3.1 inches at Edgerton.

Blizzard in JACKSON, MINNESOTA
From 15-JAN-21 01:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 55 mph at Jackson (MJQ) and 50 mph at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site 4 miles southeast of Lakefield, resulted in widespread near white-out conditions. Interstate 90 and most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 2.7 inches 2 miles northeast of Lakefield.

Blizzard in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 15-JAN-21 01:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 46 mph at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site 4 miles east northeast of Jeffers and 44 mph at Windom (MWM), resulted in widespread near white-out conditions. Most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 2.6 inches at Windom.

Blizzard in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-21 19:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 54 mph at Worthington (OTG) and at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site near Rushmore, resulted in widespread near white-out conditions. Interstate 90 and most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 4.5 inches at Worthington.

Blizzard in ROCK, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-21 19:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 09:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 54 mph at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site near Beaver Creek and 46 mph at Luverne (LYV), resulted in widespread near white-out conditions. Interstate 90 and most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 3.0 inches at Hills.

Blizzard in MURRAY, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-21 20:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 53 mph at Slayton (DVP) and 52 mph at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site 3 miles west of Dovray, resulted in widespread near white-out conditions. Most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 2.0 inches at Lake Wilson.

Blizzard in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-21 19:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 47 mph at Marshall (MML) and Tracy (TKC), resulted in widespread near white-out conditions. Most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 2.3 inches at Marshall.

Blizzard in LINCOLN, MINNESOTA
From 14-JAN-21 17:00:00 to 15-JAN-21 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Department of Highways

As snow developed and began to accumulate during the evening on January 14, the increase in winds to a sustained 30 to 35 mph, with a few gusts as high as 55 mph at a personal weather station at Ivanhoe and at a Minnesota Department of Transportation site near Lake Benton, resulted in widespread near white-out conditions. Most state roads were closed by early evening on January 14 as plows were pulled due to dangerous conditions, then were opened again during the morning of January 15. Snowfall totaled 4.0 inches 8 miles southeast of Hendricks.