Heavy Snow — Southern Lake, Minnesota

2021-12-05 to 2021-12-06 · Southern Lake, Minnesota

Event narrative

Heavy snowfall was received in southern Lake County near Lake Superior with both terrain and lake enhancement effects occurring. Snowfall totals of 10 to 14 inches were reported with a high report of 16 near Finland.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system developed across the Northern Plains and tracked east through the 6th of December bringing the first winter storm of the season. As the low moved east it continued to intensify and slow down. This brought heavy snowfall to much of northern Minnesota along with a period of blizzard conditions along the North Shore of Lake Superior. Snowfall amounts of 7 to 10 inches were common across the area with higher amounts to 15 to 18 inches. The highest total was from Grand Marais where a storm total of 20.1 inches was recorded. Additionally, the Minnesota Department of Transportation reported hundreds of accidents and spinouts, with 261 crashes reported between 5 PM Saturday and 11 AM Sunday alone.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 996678. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.