Blizzard in Southern Lake, Minnesota

Heavy snowfall and strong winds led to a 13 hour period of blizzard conditions along the North Shore on the 18th. Minnesota Highway 61 was closed to traffic for about 3 hours from Duluth to the Canadian Border as road crews were unable to keep up with the snow. Snowfall totals over 2 feet were reported with a high report of 28.4 inches at the Wolf Ridge ELC.

A strong area of low pressure developed across the High Plains on the 17th and moved across the Dakotas on the 18th and into northern Wisconsin on the morning of the 19th. This led to a prolonged period of snowfall across the region. The track of this low was favorable for lake and terrain enhancement along the North Shore. Additionally, the strong low led to very gusty winds along the North Shore that led to a prolonged period of blizzard conditions that led to the closure of Minnesota Highway 61 for about 3 hours as crews were unable to keep up with the snowfall. Snowfall accumulations inland of Lake Superior were 6 to 10 inch range with much higher amounts along the North Shore, including upwards of 40 inches for the event in Hovland right on the shore of Lake Superior.