Winter Storm in Lac Qui Parle, Minnesota

Multiple bands of snow moved across the county. Sustained winds increased out of the northeast near 20-25 mph with gusts near 30 mph per the Madison Airport ASOS observations. Across the county, Interpolated Snowfall Analysis using the National Gridded Snowfall Analysis (NGSA) map detailed that at least 2-3 inches fell in 24 hrs, 4-12 inches in 48 hrs making an overall total range of 8-18 inches. CoCoRaHS and Trained Spotter observations helped verify the NGSA by showing highest snowfall observations located in the northern region of the county with 9-15 measured inches. The highest reported measurement was 15.0 inches at the KLQP Radio Station measured by Broadcast Media.

Snowfall combined with gusty winds led to difficult travel conditions which ultimately led to the Department of Transportation and MN State Patrol advising against travel for much of Western MN.

Multiple bands of accumulating snow.

A long duration winter storm produced multiple bands of widespread significant snowfall across Minnesota, with persistent northwest winds developing as the storm exited the region. Snow began to fall on the morning of February 21st and persisted in waves through the morning of February 23rd. Wind gust observations were in the low to mid 30 mph range. Overall snow accumulations provided by a combination of trained spotters and the CoCoRaHS observers ranged from 8-16 inches across the region, with a few localized higher amounts.

Some of the highest snowfall totals across the area include:

16.8 inches near Victoria in Carver County.

16.6 inches near Prior Lake in Scott County.

16.5 inches near Danube in Renville County.

16.5 inches near Faribault in Rice County.

16.1 inches near New Prague in Le Sueur County.

16.0 inches near Prinsburg in Kandiyohi County.

15.9 inches near Cambridge in Isanti County.

15.7 inches near Waseca in Waseca County.

15.4 inches near Stark in Chisago County.

15.3 inches near Corvuso in Meeker County.

15.1 inches near Luxemburg in Stearns County.

15.0 inches near Little Canada in Ramsey County.

15.0 inches near South St Paul in Dakota County.

14.6 inches near New Ulm in Brown County.

14.5 inches near Bethel in Anoka County.

14.2 inches near Edina in Hennepin County.

14.0 inches near Mora in Mille Lacs County.

12.2 inches near Morris in Stevens County.

11.3 inches near Albert Lea in Freeborn County.

11.6 inches near Winnebago in Faribault County.