Winter Weather — Houston, Minnesota

2024-03-23 to 2024-03-25 · Houston, Minnesota

Event narrative

Volunteer observers reported 3 to 5 of snowfall across Houston County from March 23rd through March 24th with the highest amount of 5.0 in Caledonia.

Wider weather episode

A winter storm event through the weekend of March 23rd and March 24th provided heavy snowfall in select counties of southeast Minnesota. Initial light snow moved from west to east across the Upper Mississippi River Valley overnight on March 23rd into the early morning hours of March 24th, with a widespread 1 to 2 falling across southeast Minnesota. Highest reported snowfall amounts from volunteer observers during this time were 1.8 in Mantorville (Dodge County), 1.7 in Austin (Mower County), and several reports of 1.5. After a brief respite during the morning hours of March 24th, a heavier snowfall band with 1 per hour snowfall rates impacted southeast Minnesota through the afternoon and evening hours. Widespread snowfall accumulations over a 6 hour period were 2 to 5, with the highest report of 6.0 in Lewiston (Winona County). A slight warming trend through the nighttime hours resulted in an eventual switch to rain early on March 25th. As a result, snowfall totals over the 2 days were quite variable and slightly deflated due to the rain. Overall 2 day snowfall totals were 2 to 6 across southeast Minnesota, highest along and north of the Interstate 90 corridor with 7.9 in Theilman (Wabasha County) and 7.5 in both Grand Meadow (Mower County) and Elgin (Olmsted County).

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1166548. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.