Winter Storm in Benton, Minnesota

A heavy band of snow, with rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour caused significant travel impacts across the region as it moved through. Snowfall totals were 4 to 7 inches across the region.

On January 03 a band of heavy snow lifted up from the south and produced 1 to 2 inches per hour. Schools closed in advance of this system, and there were 3 ground stops at the MSP airport: 1221-1515 CST (for snow), 1701-1812 CST (for freezing drizzle), 1902-2030 CST (for freezing drizzle). This was part 1 of a two-part system. The second part is entered as a separate episode. Below are a few snowfall reports from Part 1 of the system:

6.4 inches in Waconia.

7 inches near Montrose.

8.0 inches in Canby.

8.5 inches near Willmar.

7 inches near Granite Falls.

8.5 inches near Comfrey.

9 inches near Clara City.

Then there was a break with some freezing drizzle in the middle. Part 2 was another area of snow developed and pivoted across eastern Minnesota.