Winter Storm — Olmsted, Minnesota

2013-01-27 · Olmsted, Minnesota

Event narrative

Freezing rain and sleet created a coating of ice on exposed surfaces leading to very slick roads and numerous accidents occurred across the county. The highest reported ice accumulation was 0.15 of an inch at the Rochester airport. At least a dozen people were treated at the Mayo Clinic for weather related injuries.

Wider weather episode

Ice accumulations up to a quarter of an inch from freezing rain were reported across southeast Minnesota from a winter storm that impacted the region on January 27th. The winter storm originated over South Dakota and then moved almost due east into Wisconsin. As it did, it pulled a warm front north through the region. The warm air that came north with the warm front was responsible for the freezing rain. In addition to the freezing rain, sleet and some snow also fell. The freezing rain and sleet produced a coating of ice on most exposed surfaces leading to very slick roads with several accidents occurring. The highest reported ice accumulation was a quarter of an inch in Harmony (Fillmore County). The Minnesota State Patrol reported hundreds of accidents and spinouts across the southern part of the state. Ice buildup from the storm downed some power lines in Austin (Mower County) and brought down tree limbs in other parts of Mower County. Power outages also occurred in Rochester (Olmsted County) and more than 8 flights were canceled or delayed at the Rochester International airport. Nearly all schools across southeast Minnesota were either closed or delayed after the storm on Monday the 28th. Some roads remained ice covered into Tuesday the 29th when at least 3 school buses slid off the road but no injuries resulted.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 426738. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.