Blizzard — Cottonwood, Minnesota

2026-01-18 · Cottonwood, Minnesota

Event narrative

Even though snowfall was just a couple tenths of an inch, northwest winds gusted as high as 45 to 55 mph during the afternoon and evening of January 18. When snow was falling, even lightly, area Department of Transportation cameras and automated instruments indicated visibility as low as one-quarter mile or less at Windom and near Mountain Lake. Travel was not advised along State Highway 60 for portions of the afternoon and evening.

Wider weather episode

A secondary arctic frontal zone crashed southeast across the region with yet another increase in winds, spotty light snowfall, and areas of blowing snow.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1315212. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.