An Arctic cold front moved across central Minnesota during the late morning of Friday, February 18th. Some snow fell behind the frontal passage leading to some accumulation. However, the combination of residual snowpack, light snowfall accumulation, strong cold air advection, and deep mixing in the boundary layer, led to surface winds of 25 to 40 mph sustained across central Minnesota. These wind speeds, and occasional gusts over 50 mph, caused whiteout conditions across portions of central Minnesota. These conditions were worst where the snowpack was greater and able to lift any snow aloft. Farther to the south and southeast, snowpack was limited and visibilities were not as low but wind speeds kept blowing snow for hours.
In addition to the blizzard conditions, strong winds were measured between 50 and 56 mph across a large area of central and southern Minnesota. Some of the winds were measured at or above 58 mph. These stronger winds included; Hanley Falls (MNDOT RWIS), KMSP (ASOS), and KSTP (ASOS).

Blizzard in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-22 10:30:00 to 18-FEB-22 19:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather observations across Douglas County indicated blizzard conditions for several hours Friday afternoon as winds gusted over 45 mph. Visibilities were less than one-quarter of a mile at the Alexandria airport, especially during times where winds were sustained in the 30 to 35 mph range.

Blizzard in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-22 11:00:00 to 18-FEB-22 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather observations across Todd County indicated blizzard conditions for several hours Friday afternoon as winds gusted over 45 mph. Visibilities were less than one-quarter of a mile at the Todd airport, especially during times where winds were sustained in the 30 to 35 mph range.

Blizzard in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-22 10:30:00 to 18-FEB-22 17:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather observations across Pope County indicated blizzard conditions for several hours Friday afternoon as winds gusted over 45 mph. Visibilities were less than one-quarter of a mile at the Glenwood airport, especially during times where winds were sustained in the 30 to 35 mph range.

Blizzard in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-22 11:00:00 to 18-FEB-22 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Mesonet

Several weather observations across far northwest Stearns County indicated blizzard conditions for several hours Friday afternoon as winds gusted over 45 mph. Visibilities were less than one-quarter of a mile at the Sauk Centre airport, especially during times where winds were sustained in the 30 to 35 mph range.

High Wind in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-22 13:15:00 to 18-FEB-22 13:15:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 55.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Department of Highways

The Minnesota Department of Transportation sensor near Hanley Falls in Yellow Medicine county measured a wind gust of 63 mph.

High Wind in HENNEPIN, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-22 15:13:00 to 18-FEB-22 15:13:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 53.00 MG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The Minneapolis, St. Paul International Airport measured a wind gust of 61 mph.

High Wind in RAMSEY, MINNESOTA
From 18-FEB-22 15:48:00 to 18-FEB-22 15:48:00 (CST-6)
Magnitude: 51.00 EG
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: ASOS

The St. Paul downtown airport (ASOS) measured a wind gust of 59 mph.