Winter Storm in Central St. Louis, Minnesota

Heavy snow was preceded by freezing rain in this New Year's Eve winter storm episode. Ice accumulated to a quarter to a half inch thick in the Babbitt area, which downed trees and powerlines. Law enforcement reported many accidents overnight on the 30th and into the morning hours of the 31st. Freezing rain changed to heavy snow during the mid afternoon hours on the 31st as cold air moved in and a band of heavy snow set up across central St. Louis County. By the time the snow ended Sunday night, 10 inches of snow had fallen in Babbitt. Other totals include 8.5 inches at McKinley, 6.5 inches in Chisholm, 6 inches in Virginia, and 5 inches in Tower.

Strong low pressure moving from the southern plains through eastern Wisconsin brought copious amounts of precipitation to northeastern Minnesota December 30th and 31st. A warm surge of deep tropical moisture preceded the storm, and brought rainfall totals that exceeded 1 inch in places. Freezing rain accumulated to a quarter to a half inch in some places in the interior Arrowhead region. The Babbitt area had up to a half inch of ice accumulation, which downed trees and power lines. The rain changed over to snow during the evening of the 31st as cold air wrapped around the backside of the system. The heaviest snow occured in a 20 to 30 mile wide band from northwestern Pine County, northeast to east central St Louis County around the Babbitt area. Over 6 inches of snow occured in these areas. Specific snowfall amounts include 10 inches in Babbitt, 8.5 inches near Tamarack, and 7 to 7.5 inches at Embarrass, Floodwood, and Bruno.