A complex storm impacted the Northern Plains in the days leading up to and through the Christmas holiday with widespread precipitation, wind, and hazardous conditions.  The storm began as rain during the afternoon and evening of December 23, briefly pausing before a second round of rainfall surged northward early on December 24.  Cooler temperatures slipped in near the surface by early Christmas Day, and this caused a widespread transition to freezing rain with ice accumulation varying from one-tenth to one-half inch, greatest near the crest of the Buffalo Ridge as warmer air wrapped into the area from the south and east within the dry slot. As the storm wound up and exited on December 26, colder air and wrap-around moisture brought up to one-half inch of light snowfall.
Several long-term NWS Cooperative Observer locations in southwest Minnesota recorded the highest 3-day precipitation total on record for December including:
Minneota          2.75
Marshall           2.52
Lake Wilson      2.00
Pipestone         1.92
Lakefield 2 NE  1.69
Windom           1.51.

Ice Storm in LYON, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A period of freezing rain accumulated ice to one-quarter inch in Marshall.

Ice Storm in MURRAY, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

A period of freezing rain accumulated ice to one-half inch 2 miles northwest of Currie. Several 2 to 3 inch tree branches were downed in Slayton, with power out to around 300 people across the county.

Winter Weather in LINCOLN, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: CoCoRaHS

Ice accumulations up to one to two tenths of an inch were common resulting in slick roadways.  Two tenths of an inch ice accumulation was reported 8 miles southeast of Hendricks.

Winter Weather in PIPESTONE, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 05:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Ice accumulations up to one to two tenths of an inch were common resulting in slick roadways.  Ice was reported in Pipestone with a few smaller branches down.

Winter Weather in ROCK, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 04:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 16:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Department of Highways

Ice accumulations up to one to two tenths of an inch were common resulting in slick roadways.

Winter Weather in COTTONWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: Emergency Manager

Ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch were common resulting in slick roadways before temperatures vaulted into the 40s during the late afternoon.  A few branches were reported down in Windom.

Winter Weather in JACKSON, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 00:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 14:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: AWOS

Ice accumulations up to one tenth of an inch were common resulting in slick roadways before temperatures vaulted into the 40s during the late afternoon.

Winter Weather in NOBLES, MINNESOTA
From 25-DEC-23 03:00:00 to 25-DEC-23 15:00:00 (CST-6)
Reported by: COOP Observer

Ice accumulation up to two tenths of an inch was reported at Worthington which brought down several smaller branches in town. Ice accumulation less than a quarter inch was widespread across the county with slick roads until temperatures rose into the 30s during the late afternoon.