Heavy snow and blizzard wane; sun returns Thursday to Minnesota
Highs in the 50s Thursday across much of western, central Minnesota
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Our March blizzard delivered a nasty wintry blow from Omaha, Neb., through northwestern Iowa into southern Minnesota Wednesday. Wind gusts greater than 60 mph downed power poles in Omaha into Iowa.
Blizzard conditions in northern Iowa and southern Minnesota included thunder snow Wednesday. Here’s a look at some of the official reports:
9 S Fairmont [Martin Co, MN] Dept of Highways reports Blizzard at 12:30 PM CDT -- Public works reported whiteout conditions near the Iowa border.
3 E Twin Lakes [Freeborn Co, MN] Dept of Highways reports Blizzard at 1:30 PM CDT -- Blizzard conditions across the county, especially near the Iowa border.
1 E Blue Earth [Faribault Co, MN] Law Enforcement reports Blizzard at 1:40 PM CDT -- Dispatch confirmed blizzard conditions across the county.
3 NE Clear Lake [Cerro Gordo Co, IA] ASOS reports Blizzard at 2:12 PM CDT -- Over 3 hours of one quarter mile visibility or below along with frequent wind gusts to 50 mph. Thundersnow has been reported in the vicinity of Mason City over the few hours.
Below are some preliminary snowfall reports from the blizzard zone. It is still snowing in much of southeastern Minnesota so additional reports may arrive Wednesday evening.
Bricelyn, 9.5 inches
Buffalo Center, Iowa, 8.5 inches
La Crosse, Wis., 7.3 inches
Preston, 6.5 inches
Rochester, Chatfield, 5.5 inches
Austin, Winona area, 5 inches
Lemond, 3.5 inches
Sun returns Thursday
High pressure will bring a return to sunshine across most of Minnesota Thursday through Saturday. Highs Thursday will reach the 50s in much of western and central Minnesota. Bank thermometers in the western Twin Cities could flash 50 degrees Thursday afternoon.
Friday will be even milder in southern Minnesota, but note the colder temperatures blowing into the northwest:
The next weather system heading for Minnesota arrives Sunday. It looks like a rainy mix in the south, but several inches of snow could accumulate in the northern half of Minnesota Sunday.
Stay tuned.
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