Blizzard — West Polk, Minnesota

2026-01-18 · West Polk, Minnesota

Event narrative

Whiteout conditions in falling snow and blowing snow at the KCKN AWOS at Crookston, MN with winds gusting 35 to 42 mph. The strongest wind gust in western Polk County was 57 mph at the mesonet station MN114 Beltrami MN.

Wider weather episode

A strong upper trough moved across the Northern Plains and into northwest Minnesota, bringing strong winds, light snow, and blizzard conditions. The initial area of light snow ended during the early morning of January 18 as a strong cold front moved into the region. Post frontal snow showers along with strong winds behind the front contributed to widespread whiteout conditions primarily across northeast North Dakota and the Red River Valley of northwest Minnesota. Strongest wind gusts were 50 to 57 mph. A no travel advised was issued by MNDOT in far northwest Minnesota due to whiteout conditions.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 1316666. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.