Heavy Snow — Northern St. Louis, Minnesota

2021-12-28 to 2021-12-29 · Northern St. Louis, Minnesota

Event narrative

Snowfall totals of 4 to 6 inches were observed across the northern part of the county, although higher totals were most likely received in far northern parts of the county which is wilderness area. The highest total received was 6.5 inches near Buyck.

Wider weather episode

A low pressure system developed over eastern Colorado early on the 28th and moved northeastward through the day across the Central Plains and into Upper Michigan by sunrise on the 29th. Favorable conditions for heavy snow were in place across northeastern Minnesota with snow beginning first during the morning hours across the Brainerd Lakes area and spreading northeastward into the afternoon. The forward progress of the system was slower than anticipated and areas of lake and terrain enhancement led to higher snowfall totals than expected over parts of the area. Snowfall of 6 to 8 inches was received over much of northeastern Minnesota with heavier amounts in excess of a foot along the North Shore and along parts of the Iron Range before snow ended that evening and early morning hours. A two vehicle collision just west of Ely resulted in one fatality (indirect) and three serious injuries (indirect) due to the snow and ice covered road.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 997530. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.