A rapidly deepening area of low pressure moved from eastern Iowa to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan during the day on Tuesday, March 10. A mixed bag of rain and snow fell over southern and parts of central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities. Heavy snow fell over western and northern Minnesota, with blizzard conditions in the Red River Valley. These conditions forced the closure of highways, including I-94 from Jamestown, North Dakota to Fergus Falls. The highest snowfall reported was 18.8 inches at International Falls, but this includes a secondary storm that happened on March 9. Fargo picked up more unwanted precipitation with 10.1 inches of snow (.78 inches of melted precipitation) on March 9th and 10th.
As the winter storm swept into Ontario on March 11, northwest winds continued throughout the day with bitterly cold air entrenched across Minnesota. The coldest wind chill found on March 11 was -36 degrees at 7am in Bemidji. The Twin Cities had a minimum temperature of -4 on March 12. While not a record, the last time it dipped to zero or colder so late in a winter season in the Twin Cities was March 15, 1997. Embarrass and Babbitt reached -35 below zero on March 12, setting a new coldest record low for Minnesota for March 12. The old record was -34 set at Ada in 1896.
Listed below are local storm reports from the National Weather Service regarding the winter storm and blizzard of March 10-11.
PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN 235 PM CDT THURSDAY MAR 12 2009 A NEW STATE RECORD DAILY LOW TEMPERATURE WAS SET IN MINNESOTA THIS MORNING. THE PREVIOUS STATE RECORD LOW TEMPERATURE FOR MARCH 12TH WAS SET IN 1896 AT THE TOWN OF ADA WHICH REPORTED -34 DEGREES. EMBARRASS AND BABBIT BOTH REPORTED -35 DEGREES THIS MORNING MARCH 12, 2009. THE FOLLOWING IS A SAMPLE OF THE COLD TEMPERATURES FROM ACROSS THE AREA THIS MORNING. NORTHEASTERN MINNESOTA MIN EMBM5: EMBARRASS............COOP: -35 BABM5: BABBIT...............COOP: -35 XVG : LONGVILLE............AWOS: -33 LEIM5: ORR 3E...............COOP: -30 FLDM5: FLOODWOOD 3W.........COOP: -30 FOZ : BIGFORK..............AWOS: -29 CDD : CRANE LAKE...........AWOS: -29 INL : INTERNATIONAL FALLS..ASOS: -28 PWC : PINE RIVER...........AWOS: -27 HIB : HIBBING ARPT.........ASOS: -27 NOHM5: NORTHOME.............COOP: -27 BRD : BRAINERD.............ASOS: -25 MZH : MOOSE LAKE...........AWOS: -24 GPZ : GRAND RAPIDS.........AWOS: -24 EVM : EVELETH..............AWOS: -24 AIT : AITKIN...............AWOS: -24 HCKM5: HINCKLEY.............COOP: -24 CRLM5: CROSS LAKE DAM.......COOP: -24 BRUM5: BRUNO................COOP: -24 KABM5: KABETOGAMA...........COOP: -22 GLLM5: GULL LAKE DAM........COOP: -22 CSLM5: CASS LAKE............COOP: -22 ORB : ORR..................AWOS: -20 ELO : ELY..................AWOS: -20 COQ : CLOQUET..............AWOS: -20 CKC : GRAND MARAIS.........AWOS: -20 GNFM5: GUNFLINT LAKE 10NW...COOP: -20 TWM : TWO HARBORS..........AWOS: -18 CQM : COOK.................AWOS: -18 COKM5: COOK 8NE.............COOP: -18 HZX : MCGREGOR.............AWOS: -17 GNA : GRAND MARAIS MN......ASOS: -17 BFW : SILVER BAY...........AWOS: -17 PKGM5: POKEGAMA DAM.........COOP: -17 WLFM5: WOLF RIDGE ELC.......COOP: -15 DLH : DULUTH AIRPORT.......ASOS: -14 PRELIMINARY LOCAL STORM REPORT...SUMMARY NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE DULUTH MN 1137 AM CDT WED MAR 11 2009 ..TIME... ...EVENT... ...CITY LOCATION... ...LAT.LON... ..DATE... ....MAG.... ..COUNTY LOCATION..ST.. ...SOURCE.... ..REMARKS.. 0600 AM SNOW EMBARRASS 47.66N 92.20W 03/11/2009 M8.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0.63 LIQUID EQUIVALENT. 0600 AM SNOW KERRICK 46.34N 92.59W 03/11/2009 M4.6 INCH PINE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0600 AM SNOW 3 E ORR 48.06N 92.76W 03/11/2009 M11.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0600 AM SNOW 8 NE COOK 47.93N 92.57W 03/11/2009 M5.5 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER STORM TOTAL 0600 AM SNOW BUTTERNUT 46.01N 90.50W 03/11/2009 M2.0 INCH ASHLAND WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0600 AM SNOW HAYWARD 46.01N 91.48W 03/11/2009 M3.3 INCH SAWYER WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0600 AM SNOW 15 N GRAND RAPIDS 47.45N 93.52W 03/11/2009 M6.1 INCH ITASCA MN TRAINED SPOTTER STORM TOTAL 0700 AM SNOW INTERNATIONAL FALLS 48.59N 93.41W 03/11/2009 M18.8 INCH KOOCHICHING MN OFFICIAL NWS OBS STORM TOTAL 0700 AM SNOW KABETOGAMA 48.44N 93.03W 03/11/2009 M16.2 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER STORM TOTAL 0700 AM SNOW DULUTH 46.78N 92.12W 03/11/2009 M6.3 INCH ST. LOUIS MN OFFICIAL NWS OBS DULUTH NWS FORECAST OFFICE...24-HOUR TOTAL. 0700 AM SNOW BAYFIELD 46.81N 90.82W 03/11/2009 M7.8 INCH BAYFIELD WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0715 AM SNOW MAPLE 46.59N 91.72W 03/11/2009 M6.3 INCH DOUGLAS WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0715 AM SNOW COTTON 47.17N 92.47W 03/11/2009 M7.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW MOOSE LAKE 46.45N 92.77W 03/11/2009 M5.0 INCH CARLTON MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW LOON LAKE 48.08N 90.69W 03/11/2009 M8.3 INCH COOK MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW WASHBURN 46.67N 90.89W 03/11/2009 M4.3 INCH BAYFIELD WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW BRAINERD 46.35N 94.19W 03/11/2009 M6.5 INCH CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW HERTEL 45.81N 92.18W 03/11/2009 M3.0 INCH BURNETT WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW LUTSEN 47.64N 90.71W 03/11/2009 M8.5 INCH COOK MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW 5 NE ASKOV 46.24N 92.71W 03/11/2009 E6.2 INCH PINE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW OULU 46.63N 91.53W 03/11/2009 M6.6 INCH BAYFIELD WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0730 AM SNOW 12 N ISLE 46.32N 93.46W 03/11/2009 M4.8 INCH AITKIN MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0730 AM SNOW 6 NE CLOVERLAND 46.74N 91.60W 03/11/2009 M7.0 INCH DOUGLAS WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW 4 W CLAM LAKE 45.79N 92.41W 03/11/2009 M1.5 INCH BURNETT WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW GORDON 46.25N 91.80W 03/11/2009 M2.5 INCH DOUGLAS WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW SAXON 46.49N 90.42W 03/11/2009 M4.0 INCH IRON WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW 5 NW WASHBURN 46.72N 90.97W 03/11/2009 M5.3 INCH BAYFIELD WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW GRAND PORTAGE 47.96N 89.68W 03/11/2009 M11.0 INCH COOK MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW REMER 47.06N 93.91W 03/11/2009 M8.0 INCH CASS MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW LEECH LAKE 47.16N 94.41W 03/11/2009 M5.3 INCH CASS MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW 2 SSW STURGEON LAKE 46.35N 92.77W 03/11/2009 M5.0 INCH PINE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW 1 SW TOFTE 47.55N 90.90W 03/11/2009 M9.0 INCH COOK MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW 6 NW GRAND MARAIS 47.82N 90.41W 03/11/2009 M9.0 INCH COOK MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW NORTHOME 47.87N 94.27W 03/11/2009 M10.8 INCH KOOCHICHING MN CO-OP OBSERVER STORM TOTAL 0800 AM SNOW DIXON LAKE 47.60N 94.29W 03/11/2009 M14.0 INCH ITASCA MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW 2 ENE HOVLAND 47.85N 89.93W 03/11/2009 M8.0 INCH COOK MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW 8 S BIGFORK 47.63N 93.65W 03/11/2009 M8.8 INCH ITASCA MN CO-OP OBSERVER STORM TOTAL 0800 AM SNOW FEDERAL DAM 47.24N 94.22W 03/11/2009 M7.3 INCH CASS MN CO-OP OBSERVER STORM TOTAL 0800 AM SNOW LITTLE MARAIS 47.41N 91.11W 03/11/2009 M6.0 INCH LAKE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW MARCELL 47.59N 93.69W 03/11/2009 M6.2 INCH ITASCA MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW NNW KNIFE RIVER 46.95N 91.78W 03/11/2009 M3.5 INCH LAKE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW ENE GRAND MARAIS 47.76N 90.34W 03/11/2009 M5.0 INCH COOK MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW CROSSLAKE 46.68N 94.09W 03/11/2009 M6.0 INCH CROW WING MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW LITTLEFORK 48.40N 93.56W 03/11/2009 M15.7 INCH KOOCHICHING MN CO-OP OBSERVER STORM TOTAL 0800 AM SNOW 3 E ORR 48.06N 92.76W 03/11/2009 M11.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW HURLEY 46.44N 90.20W 03/11/2009 M3.0 INCH IRON WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW PARK FALLS 45.93N 90.45W 03/11/2009 M2.5 INCH PRICE WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW GURNEY 46.47N 90.51W 03/11/2009 M4.5 INCH IRON WI CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW NORTHOME 47.87N 94.27W 03/11/2009 M5.9 INCH KOOCHICHING MN CO-OP OBSERVER 0800 AM SNOW SAGINAW 46.86N 92.44W 03/11/2009 M6.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0800 AM SNOW BENNETT 46.45N 91.85W 03/11/2009 M4.5 INCH DOUGLAS WI TRAINED SPOTTER 0830 AM SNOW 3 NE NISSWA 46.53N 94.25W 03/11/2009 M5.5 INCH CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0830 AM SNOW 6 SW TWO HARBORS 46.97N 91.77W 03/11/2009 M5.0 INCH LAKE MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0900 AM SNOW 15 NW GRAND MARAIS 47.91N 90.57W 03/11/2009 M9.5 INCH COOK MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0900 AM SNOW PEQUOT LAKES 46.60N 94.32W 03/11/2009 M6.5 INCH CROW WING MN TRAINED SPOTTER 0900 AM SNOW CULVER 46.93N 92.56W 03/11/2009 M5.0 INCH ST. LOUIS MN TRAINED SPOTTER 1000 AM SNOW 7 NW BENNETT 46.52N 91.95W 03/11/2009 M4.5 INCH DOUGLAS WI TRAINED SPOTTER 1015 AM SNOW TRADE LAKE 45.69N 92.59W 03/11/2009 M4.0 INCH BURNETT WI TRAINED SPOTTER 1015 AM SNOW CLOQUET 46.73N 92.49W 03/11/2009 M4.0 INCH CARLTON MN TRAINED SPOTTER PUBLIC INFORMATION STATEMENT NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE TWIN CITIES/CHANHASSEN MN 1204 PM CDT WED MAR 11 2009 ...SNOWFALL TOTALS FROM MARCH 10TH WINTER STORM... THE TOTALS BELOW ARE NOT NECESSARILY THE FINAL AMOUNT FOR EACH LOCATION. SNOW REPORTS LISTED BY AMOUNT INCHES LOCATION ST COUNTY TIME ------ ----------------------- -- -------------- ------- 10.50 MILLERVILLE MN DOUGLAS 0607 PM 8.00 CARLOS MN DOUGLAS 0854 AM 8.00 ALEXANDRIA MN DOUGLAS 0415 PM 7.00 LITTLE FALLS MN MORRISON 0648 AM 6.50 HEWITT MN TODD 0728 AM 6.50 LONG PRAIRIE MN TODD 0614 AM 6.00 2 N SAUK CENTRE MN STEARNS 0520 PM 5.50 1 NNW COLD SPRING MN STEARNS 0800 AM 5.10 DONNELLY MN STEVENS 0410 PM 5.00 MELROSE MN STEARNS 0800 AM 4.80 ST CLOUD SCSU MN STEARNS 0800 AM 4.50 SAUK RAPIDS MN BENTON 0758 AM 4.00 MORA MN KANABEC 0915 AM 4.00 2 NW GILMAN MN BENTON 0855 AM 4.00 WILLMAR MN KANDIYOHI 0800 AM 4.00 3 N KIMBALL MN STEARNS 0800 AM 4.00 ST CLOUD AIRPORT MN STEARNS 0132 AM 4.00 MADISON MN LAC QUI PARLE 0520 PM 4.00 ATWATER MN KANDIYOHI 0415 PM 3.60 RICE MN BENTON 0800 AM 3.50 MURDOCK MN SWIFT 0812 PM 3.50 LITCHFIELD MN MEEKER 0647 PM 3.40 7 S HILLMAN MN MORRISON 0713 AM 3.20 1 N HUTCHINSON MN MCLEOD 1130 AM 3.00 MILACA MN MILLE LACS 0800 AM 3.00 2 SW DUNNELL MN MARTIN 0800 AM 3.00 ELK RIVER MN SHERBURNE 0800 AM 3.00 CAMBRIDGE MN ISANTI 0609 AM 3.00 3 NNE RUSH CITY MN CHISAGO 1036 PM 3.00 2 W FOLEY MN BENTON 0520 PM 3.00 ANNANDALE MN WRIGHT 0420 PM 3.00 OLIVIA MN RENVILLE 0410 PM 2.90 DASSEL MN MEEKER 0800 AM 2.50 PRIOR LAKE MN SCOTT 0938 AM 2.50 BROWNTON MN MCLEOD 0909 AM 2.50 REDWOOD FALLS MN REDWOOD 0609 AM 2.50 WINTHROP MN SIBLEY 0900 PM 2.50 4 SSE SILVER CREEK MN WRIGHT 0520 PM 2.30 BUFFALO MN WRIGHT 0800 AM 2.20 HAMBURG MN CARVER 0800 AM 2.20 WACONIA MN CARVER 1030 PM 2.00 MORGAN MN REDWOOD 0800 AM 2.00 SPRINGFIELD MN BROWN 0520 PM 1.90 ONAMIA MN MILLE LACS 0800 AM 1.80 CHASKA MN CARVER 0706 AM 1.70 1 WNW NEW BRIGHTON MN RAMSEY 0800 AM 1.50 1 SE HENDERSON MN LE SUEUR 0800 AM 1.50 FOREST LAKE MN WASHINGTON 0800 AM 1.50 ANDOVER MN ANOKA 0712 AM 1.50 CLAYTON WI POLK 1126 PM 1.40 CHANHASSEN NWS MN CARVER 1141 PM 1.00 WASECA MN WASECA 0800 AM 1.00 5 NE NORTH BRANCH MN CHISAGO 0800 AM 1.00 CUMBERLAND WI BARRON 0800 AM 1.00 MANKATO MN BLUE EARTH 0800 AM 1.00 3 SE LAKE ELMO MN WASHINGTON 0800 AM 1.00 3 W LADYSMITH WI RUSK 0800 AM 1.00 MINNEAPOLIS AIRPORT MN HENNEPIN 0132 AM 1.00 NORTH ST PAUL MN RAMSEY 0841 PM 1.00 FAIRMONT MN MARTIN 0800 PM 0.90 MAPLEWOOD MN RAMSEY 0800 AM 0.90 1 S RICE LAKE WI BARRON 0706 AM 0.90 9 N BRUCE WI RUSK 1050 PM 0.70 1 SSW LONSDALE MN RICE 0800 AM 0.70 ST PAUL COMO PARK MN RAMSEY 1141 P 0.60 FARIBAULT MN RICE 0800 AM 0.50 WINNEBAGO MN FARIBAULT 0800 AM 0.50 LAKELAND MN WASHINGTON 0800 AM 0.50 HASTINGS MN DAKOTA 0800 AM 0.40 ROBERTS WI ST. CROIX 0800 AM 0.30 STANLEY WI CHIPPEWA 0800 AM 0.30 3 SW EAU CLAIRE WI EAU CLAIRE 0800 AM 0.20 EAU CLAIRE WI EAU CLAIRE 1115 PM