Southeast Minnesota Digs Out: Preliminary Snowfall Totals from Friday’s Major Winter Storm
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The preliminary snowfall totals are in from the major winter storm that walloped Rochester and southeast Minnesota Friday.
The snow began around 5 a.m. in Rochester Friday and left the area early Saturday morning. Southeast Minnesota was originally put under a Winter Storm Warning that began early Friday morning and was set to expire late Saturday morning.
On Friday afternoon the National Weather Service downgraded the warning to a Winter Weather Advisory for Olmsted, Dodge and Wabasha Counties. On Saturday morning the National Weather Service in La Crosse collected preliminary snowfall reports.
The highest preliminary snowfall total reported in Rochester was 6.5 inches. An official measurement from the Rochester airport is not available.
Below are some of the other notable snow totals around southeast Minnesota, southwest Wisconsin and northeast Iowa reported to the National Weather Service:
- 8.9 inches -Mona, IA
- 8 inches -Onalaska, WI
- 6.8 inches -Houston
- 6.1 inches near the Olmsted-Wabasha County line
- 6 inches -Stewartville
- 6 inches -Wabasha
- 5 inches- Kasson
- 4.8 inches -Winona
- 3.6 inches -rural west Austin
Friday’s winter storm also brought strong winds with it that reduced visibility and caused blowing and drifting snow throughout southeast Minnesota. The State Patrol says troopers responded to 216 crashes statewide from 6:30 Friday morning through 7:30 Saturday morning.
Two of those crashes were fatal and 14 involved at least one injury. There were also 65 vehicle spinouts and one jack-knifed semi during the snowstorm.
The strong winds and new snow rendered some roads in Iowa impassable. A no travel advisory in place Friday for northeast Iowa due to blizzard conditions was lifted by Saturday morning.
The majority of roads in southeast Minnesota remained partially covered with snow as of Saturday morning, according to MnDOT. Snow plows are continuing efforts to clear the new snow from the region’s roads.
The City of Rochester has enacted parking restrictions to facilitate snow removal in the downtown area. Those restrictions will be in place until Tuesday morning.
The Winter Weather Advisory issued for the Rochester area is scheduled to expire at noon on Saturday. The forecast warns of possible slick spots on the area's roads caused by blowing and drifting snow.
The National Weather Service has also issued a Windchill Advisory for southeast Minnesota that’s set to begin at 6 p.m. on Saturday and end at noon on Sunday.
Windchill values are expected to plummet to 20 to 25 below zero over the next several days.
More Minnesota News:
- Parking Restrictions Begin as Rochester Digs Out from Major Winter Storm
- Rochester Man Arrested in Southeast Minnesota Burglary Case
- Rochester Woman Injured in Noon Hour Crash on Highway 52
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Gallery Credit: Carly Ross
