Widespread Snowfall Totals In: Over 11 Inches Fell Across Southern Minnesota

MINNESOTA — A long-duration winter storm dropped widespread snow across southern Minnesota and into Wisconsin this weekend, with some of the highest totals clustered near the I-90 corridor and into Iowa.

Observed snowfall from Nov. 28–29 shows a sharp north-to-south gradient across the region. Areas along I-90 received 8 to 12 inches, while the Twin Cities metro generally picked up 3 inches in the northern suburbs to around 6 inches in the southern suburbs.

Breezy winds toward the end of the storm caused blowing and drifting, making measurements difficult in some locations.

Snowfall Reports Across Minnesota

The highest totals from this long-duration storm were found in far southern Minnesota, with several locations picking up more than 10 inches:

• Minnesota City — 11.2 inches
• Fairmont (1 S) — 10.5 inches
• Rochester area (2 W, 3 S Predmore, and Kasson) — 7.5 inches
• Austin (4 WSW) — 7.3 inches
• Faribault (1 NE) — 7.3 inches
• Rock Dell (4 NW) — 7.7 inches
• Spring Grove — 7 inches

Northern and central Minnesota saw lighter amounts, with totals quickly falling off north of the Minnesota River Valley.

Twin Cities Metro Snowfall Reports

Metro totals followed the expected north–south gradient, ranging from around 3 inches in the north metro to about 6 inches in the south metro:

• Savage (3 W) — 6.3 inches
• Richfield (1 ESE) — 6.2 inches
• Eagan — 6 inches
• Maple Plain (1 ENE) — 5 inches
• Golden Valley (1 NNW) — 4.5 inches
• Maple Grove — 4 inches

Highest Snowfall Reports across the region (NWS):

• Jesup, IA — 14.8 inches
• 2 SE Asbury, IA — 14 inches
• Aurora, IA — 13.5 inches
• Monticello, WI — 11.5 inches
• 1 SW Vinton, IA — 11.5 inches
• Minnesota City, MN — 11.2 inches
• Mount Horeb, WI — 11 inches
• 1 S Fairmont, MN — 10.5 inches
• 1 WSW Middleton, WI — 10.5 inches
• 6 WSW Portage, WI — 10.3 inches

Numerous additional reports across southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, and South Dakota ranged from 6 to 10 inches, with totals tapering off quickly north of the Minnesota River Valley.

The Twin Cities proper saw lighter amounts, roughly 4 to 6 inches from Minneapolis through the south metro, and 3 to 4 inches across the north and northwest metro.

See more snowfall reports here.

Looking Ahead: Colder Air Settles In

The NWS says a colder pattern will dominate this week, with highs mostly in the teens and 20s and overnight lows dropping near or below zero at times.

The coldest stretch is expected Wednesday night into Thursday morning when lows may fall to around 8 below zero.

A few flurries are possible over southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin today. Scattered snow showers are possible across the entire area Tuesday night, with a 30 percent chance of measurable snow.

Here’s the detailed forecast for the Twin Cities:

• Today: Chance of flurries late morning into early afternoon. Cloudy. High near 20.
• Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Low around 11.
• Tuesday: Partly sunny, high near 24.
• Tuesday Night: 30 percent chance of snow, low around 17.
• Wednesday: Partly sunny; temperatures fall to around 12 by late afternoon.
• Wednesday Night: Mostly clear and very cold. Low around -8.
• Thursday: Mostly sunny, high near 14.
• Friday: Mostly cloudy with a slight chance of snow. High near 27.
• Saturday: 30 percent chance of snow. High near 24.
• Sunday: Partly sunny and colder. High near 13.