Storm reports and snow totals from Wednesday's wild weather
The view of a tornado-warned storm in Waseca around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Mar. 10.
Credit: Jared Stoddard
A classic March storm system cut Minnesota in half on Wednesday, warranting winter storm warnings to the north and severe weather to the south, including a tornado watch that preceded multiple tornado warnings.
Tornado warnings were issued in multiple counties south of Minneapolis-St. Paul, though it's yet to be determined if a twister actually touched down. Pictures from near Waseca and Faribault revealed ominous clouds that may have been a tornado.
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Hail the size of golf balls fell in the south and east Twin Cities metro, with official storm reports submitted to the National Weather Service including balls of ice ranging from 1 inch to 1.75 inches inches in diameter in Rosemount, Inver Grove Heights and South St. Paul.
Snow totals exceed 6 inches in many locations, including 7 inches reported in Duluth. Verndale, located in southern Wadena County in central Minnesota, had a whopping 9 inches.
- 9 inches - Verndale
- 8 inches - McKinley
- 7.2 inches - Browns Valley
- 7 inches - Duluth
- 6.8 inches - Hermantown
- 6.3 inches - Lake George
- 6 inches - Pine River, Ulen
- 5.5 inches - Barnesville
- 5.3 inches - Bemidji
- 5 inches - Hawley, Payne
- 4.8 inches - Pillager
- 4.3 inches - Lester Park, Motley
The snow and wet conditions combined with temperatures dropping below freezing overnight has created hazardous travel conditions, with the State Patrol reporting dozens of crashes and spinouts in greater Minnesota.
"The busiest areas currently for Troopers are I-94 east of Barnesville and Hwy10 Glyndon to Hawley. Roads are obviously covered in ice and frozen slush. Folks just need to take their time," tweeted Sgt. Jesse Grabow.
Snow is expected to completely end by noon in northeast Minnesota. According to Novak Weather, the weather will remain mostly quiet through the weekend.
