Blizzard in Mahnomen, Minnesota

Winds gusting from 40 to 58 mph produced widespread ground blizzard condition over open country. Fresh and very blowable snow helped to sustain visibilities below 1/4 mile for several hours, with whiteout conditions at times.

A fast moving cold frontal system dropped across eastern ND and northwest MN through the afternoon hours of January 18th. Very strong winds speed developed rapidly behind the front, and with abundant fresh and blowable snow, ground blizzard conditions became widespread across the largely exposed terrain of eastern ND and adjacent portions of northwest through westcentral MN.