A band of heavy precipitation developed on the northern side of a surface low that tracked from southern Minnesota into Wisconsin. This band of precipitation started as rain on the morning of March 16, but transitioned over to snow during the day as it moved northeast. At the start of the event, temperatures were above freezing with wet roads, but they quickly become slush/snow covered as snowfall rates increased and northwest winds brought colder temperatures across the region.
Several sites reported 1/4 mile visibility under the heavy snow band that produced a narrow swatch of 2 to 5 inches from southwest Minnesota through northeast Minnesota. A few totals were over 6 inches near St Cloud Minnesota, and to the northeast. After the snow ended, northwest winds continue during the afternoon which led to blizzard conditions across western Minnesota. The blizzard conditions were confined to areas that had the heavy snow earlier in the day, so this wasn't a true ground blizzard, but also wasn't limited to the time snow was falling. This was more of a hybrid of the two, where the deep snow pack became glazed over, and the new snow continually blew on top if it which reduced visibility and led to drifted snow on roadways. Below are a few of the notable reports.
Blizzard:
There were 4 to 5 foot drifts in both Chippewa and Renville county which made roads impassible. Lac Qui Parle closed state highways including 212, which is rare for them. MNDOT declared travel not advised across many roads across several counties in western/southwest Minnesota. Several dispatchers reported visibility near zero during the height of the event, with dozens of cars in the ditch. There were a few rescues, but overall the tow trucks were running so people just waited in their car to get towed out. No shelters were open for this event.
Snowfall:
6.1 inches near Rice Minnesota.
6.5 inches near Onamia Minnesota.

Blizzard in REDWOOD, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Several roads were closed.

Blizzard in SWIFT, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Several roads were closed.

Winter Storm in STEARNS, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Most locations saw 3 to 5 inches of snow, with a few reports of just over 6 inches near the eastern county line. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. The combination of snow and strong winds created winter storm conditions.

Winter Storm in MILLE LACS, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Most locations saw 3 to 5 inches of snow, with a few reports of just over 6 inches. Areas near Onamia  received 6.4 inches. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. The combination of snow and strong winds created winter storm conditions.

Winter Weather in SIBLEY, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Weather in TODD, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Blizzard in MEEKER, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Several roads were closed.

Winter Storm in MORRISON, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Most locations saw 3 to 5 inches of snow, with a few reports of just over 6 inches. Little Falls received 5 inches, with higher amounts to the southeast. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. The combination of snow and strong winds created winter storm conditions.

Winter Weather in BROWN, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Weather in MCLEOD, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Weather in DOUGLAS, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Storm in BENTON, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 00:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Trained Spotter

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Most locations saw 3 to 5 inches of snow, with a few reports of just over 6 inches. Areas just east of Rice  received 6.1 inches. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. The combination of snow and strong winds created winter storm conditions.

Winter Weather in WATONWAN, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Weather in NICOLLET, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Weather in MARTIN, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Weather in STEVENS, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Winter Weather in POPE, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 12:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 12:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

Precipitation started as rain and changed over to snow, with 1 to 3 inches of accumulation. Northwest winds increased as well with falling temperatures which led to blowing snow and icy roads.

Blizzard in LAC QUI PARLE, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Several roads were closed in the county, including Hwy 212.

Blizzard in YELLOW MEDICINE, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Several roads were closed in the county.

Blizzard in KANDIYOHI, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Conditions were worse out of town.

Blizzard in CHIPPEWA, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Conditions were worse out of town, with some drifts 4 to 5 feet deep making roads impassible.

Blizzard in RENVILLE, MINNESOTA
From 16-MAR-23 15:00:00 to 17-MAR-23 07:00:00 (CST-6)
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Law Enforcement

A band of rain changed over to snow, with visibility dropping to 1/4 mile. Northwest winds increased as the snow was ending, and temperatures fell below freezing. This led to icy roads with significant blowing snow. Conditions were worse out of town, with some drifts 4 to 5 feet deep making roads impassible.