Blizzard in Freeborn, Minnesota

The combination of falling snow and strong winds resulted in blizzard conditions throughout the county. MNDoT road and plow cameras showed several hours of near zero visibility throughout the county, and winds gusted around 30 to 35 mph at KAEL in Albert Lea. The Minnesota Department of Transportation advised against non-essential travel due to very difficult travel conditions, and a portion of I35 south of Owatonna through Freeborn County was closed during the morning of the 29th. Snowfall totals ranged from 4 to 6 inches throughout the county.

Governor Walz deployed the National Guard to Freeborn County to assist with rescue operations for stranded motorists.

A strong winter system pivoted over Minnesota and Wisconsin on December 28th, allowing widespread snow to last nearly 24 hours. Surface temperatures started near or slightly above freezing on the morning of the 28th, resulting in a few hours of rain before a rapid cool down occurred and rain transitioned to all snow. As this transition happened, some areas experienced a flash freeze and winds increased out of the northwest, gusting to around 35 to 50 mph. The combination of strong winds and heavy snow dropped visibilities as low as 1/4 mile and resulted in very difficult travel, especially across portions of western and southern Minnesota where winds were strongest.

Although the snow ended at night on the 28th, reduced visibilities and travel impacts lingered into the morning of the 29th due to blowing snow. Most areas reported at least 3 to 5 inches of snowfall, with the highest amounts around 6 to 9 inches in south-central Minnesota. Governor Walz deployed the National Guard to assist with rescue operations for stranded motorists in southern Minnesota.

The top snowfall reports were:

9.0 inches in Mankato, MN (Blue Earth).

8.3 inches in Lake Crystal, MN (Blue Earth).

8.0 inches 2 miles WNW of Danube, MN (Renville).

8.0 inches 3 miles WNW of Madison Lake, MN (Blue Earth).

7.5 inches in Burnsville, MN (Dakota).

7.5 inches 6 miles NNW of Le Center, MN (Le Sueur).

7.2 inches 5 miles SE of Forest Lake, MN (Washington).