Minnesotans are used to harsh weather conditions. Sure, we get treated with a mild winter every once in a while, but those of us who have been around for a while have grown used to the blowing snow and frigid temperatures that come with the harshest winters of them all. The freezing climate often leads to some truly unforgettable snowstorms. There have been many whoppers, but these seven horrific winter storms in Minnesota and surrounding areas have gone down in history. Take a look:

1. Halloween Blizzard of 1991
brothermitchlove/Youtube
We couldn't make this list without including what might be Minnesota's most infamous blizzard. Those who were young enough to go out trick-or-treating - or who took their kids - will always remember this wild Halloween for its incredible drifts of snow. The Twin Cities got 28 inches of snow, and totals in Duluth topped 35 inches. The conditions closed roads and schools for days, making it one of the most unforgettable snowstorms ever. Click here to read more about this incredible storm.
2. March 1975 Blizzards
David Wipf/Flickr
Minnesotans are no strangers to late winter blizzards, but these two from late March of 1975 were especially painful. The two blizzards happened days apart - the first on March 23-24 and the second between March 26-29 - and dumped two feet of snow over Duluth. But that's not all that happened. Winds whipped at up to 100 miles per hour, and 20-foot waves were spotted on Lake Superior. Yikes. Nope. No thanks, we're good.
3. January 1888 Storm
Putneypics/Flickr
No one living today will remember this doozy of a blizzard, but it was one of the worst in Minnesota history. January 12 started as a mild day, but quickly turned into anything but. The temperature dipped to nearly -40 degrees F, and thick snow quickly began to swirl. Many children died on their way home from school due to cold and lack of visibility. The death toll for this deadly storm was 200 people.

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4. November 1981 Blizzard
Duane Romanell/Flickr
Most of us remember when the Metronome deflated most recently, back in 2010. But the first time this ever occurred was after the Nov. 19, 1981 snowstorm over the Twin Cities. It left about a foot of snow on the roof of the Dome, causing it to rip. This wouldn't be the last time it happened, with several more collapses occurring throughout the '80s. They may not have been the heaviest snowstorms, but they are among the most memorable.
5. February 28-March 2, 2007 Blizzard
Sharon Mollerus/Flickr
A little over a decade ago, one of the most memorable snowstorms in recent memory caused some major problems throughout northern Minnesota. The sky dumped over 20 inches of snow in Duluth and many other areas along the North Shore. And the winds, which reached more than 50 miles per hour, pushed the snow into towering drifts. The three-day storm was part of a huge winter storm that rocked the Upper Midwest, leaving many digging out for several days after the snow stopped falling. Read more about this historic blizzard here.
6. October 1880 Blizzard
Putneypics/Flickr
Here's another Minnesota snowstorm that predates anyone around today. Snowdrifts topped 20 feet in southern Minnesota, and they stuck around for months during this cold winter. That may not seem uncommon until you realize that it was only Oct. 16! This was the earliest blizzard in Minnesota history, and one that has stayed in the record books for more than 100 years.
7. Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940
Rustam Bikbov/Flickr
On Armistice Day on Nov. 11, 1940, a slow-moving storm caused more than a few hiccups throughout the Twin Cities. The day started off relatively warm, but the weather caught many hunters unprepared during the start of hunting season. The storm caused almost 50 deaths in the Twin Cities, and 59 sailors were lost in the storm on the Great Lakes.

Do you remember any of these horrific winter storms? We want to know! Share your memories in the comments.

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Winter Storms in Minnesota

Tori Jane | October 19, 2021

What is winter in Minnesota like?  

Minnesota in winter is, in a word, cold. Extremely cold. It’s one of those states that experiences all four seasons; summer is warm and muggy, autumn is pleasant and a bit chilly, and every winter, all hell breaks loose. Snow is not at all uncommon; depending on which part of the state you live in, you can expect anywhere from five inches to 170 inches of snow in a year. The northernmost parts of the state, which border with Canada, are by far the coldest. Snow isn’t the only winter wonder we experience in the Land Of 10,000 Lakes; freezing rain, ice, and sleet are also common occurrences. Oftentimes, one can expect the occasional winter storm to come even well into spring. Some folks joke that winter here never ends, but we say it’s worth it to experience the lovely weather we have the rest of the year! Need some ideas for places to see during winter? Take a look at this list for some inspiration.  

What counts as record snowfall in Minnesota? 

Minnesota is a pretty darned snowy place, dontchaknow, but some years are a lot crazier than others. The current record in Minnesota for 24-hour snowfall is 36 inches (three feet), which fell in Lake County. The record for snowfall in a single storm is 46.5 inches, which occurred in Lake County as well. The snowiest winter on record occurred in winter 1949-1950 when an impressive 170.5 inches of snow (14 FEET!) of snow lambasted Cook County, close to Grand Portage. Of course, snow is a regular occurrence up in these parts, and it’s never anything we can’t handle – but boy, does it get cold sometimes (the lowest temperature ever recorded in Minnesota was -60 degrees near Tower, in St. Louis).  

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