Heavy Snow — Southern Aitkin, Minnesota

2023-03-11 to 2023-03-12 · Southern Aitkin, Minnesota

Event narrative

Snowfall totals of 8 to 12 inches were reported across the southern part of the county with a high report of 13.5 inches near McGregor and McGrath.

Wider weather episode

A slow moving area of low pressure brought a long duration snowfall to much of the Northland starting the 11th and continuing into the 12th. Areas near the track of the low received around a foot of snow and then some, especially with terrain influence along the North Shore where upwards of 18 inches of snow were reported. Snowfall was heavy and wet for this event and, when combined with the well above normal snowfall received already this season, a section of the roof at the Miller Hill Mall in Duluth collapsed a few days after the snow. Strong winds off Lake Superior led to blizzard conditions in the Duluth area on the 12th with winds gusting to 56 mph at Sky Harbor airport.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1085542. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.