While the calendar shows it’s more than six weeks into spring, Mother Nature dealt a wintry blow to Minnesota with a winter-like storm that unleashed historic snow amounts in some locations on Wednesday into Thursday. This May snowstorm broke a 117-year-old record in Minnesota.
The same storm system that brought an outbreak of severe weather to the South-Central states through the first portion of this week created enough cold air to produce a zone of heavy accumulating snow on its cold side.
Snow records Duluth, Minnesota
Snow fell along a zone from Sioux Falls, South Dakota, to Duluth, Minnesota. While not accumulating, snowflakes even managed to fall in parts of Minneapolis.
Through Thursday morning, Duluth was blanketed with 10.9 inches of snow, leading to a number of broken snowfall records, according to data from the National Weather Service.
Several snowfall records have already been broken for the Duluth area. The table in the image shows a list of these records. Stay tuned as the Monthly snowfall total and daily snowfall for today (5/9) are likely to change. #mnwx #mnclimate pic.twitter.com/nYbGyV6kZt
— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) May 9, 2019
The 8.3 inches set the all-time record for most snow on a single day in the month of May. The previous record was 5.5 inches, set on May 10, 1902. The burst of May snow also shattered the record for the snowiest month of May ever in Duluth, eclipsing the previous record of 8.1 total inches of snow set in May of 1954. It was also the snowiest May 8 in Duluth history as the more than 8 inches of snow surpassed the previous record for the day of 5 inches set way back in 1924. Record-keeping began in 1884.
As of Thursday morning, the storm continued to drop snow on Duluth.
While high temperatures rose into the 40s F in most places on Wednesday afternoon, temperatures fell into the middle 30s F by the early evening, allowing for a heavy, wet snow to fall.
Despite overall mild conditions across the region earlier on Wednesday and earlier in the week, the snow fell heavily enough to stick to all surfaces, including roadways.
Winter Weather Advisories are in effect beginning at 7 PM this evening until 10 AM tomorrow. Snow accumulation ranging from 1 to 4 inches with locally higher amounts are possible. The snow could cause slippery road conditions and lower visibility. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/409F845ph8
— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) May 8, 2019
Roads across northeastern Minnesota, including in the city of Duluth, were “partially covered” with snow, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation. Numerous crashes were also reported, mostly from vehicles spinning out in the slushy road conditions.
Troopers out w/several crashes and vehicles that slid off the road requiring Trp/tow assistance. This veh was WB on I-94 east of Albany when it ran off the road. pic.twitter.com/9ExlNRhxE1
— Sgt. Jesse Grabow (@MSPPIO_NW) May 9, 2019
The snow gave some residents the ability to make snowmen and enjoy its overall beauty. Others had to face snow-covered and slippery travel.
Troopers in central MN responding to several crashes (no life threat inj) Troopers currently out w/crashes I-94 Sauk Centre, Albany, St. Joseph and others scattered through the region. Snow is accumulating – driver safely! pic.twitter.com/sbjYwgWb0P
— Sgt. Jesse Grabow (@MSPPIO_NW) May 8, 2019
The National Weather Service (NWS) in Duluth, Minnesota, received multiple reports of thunder and lightning with the snow in the Duluth and Cloquet areas as well as their local office.
❄️ HELLO SNOW! Spring snow seen this evening from Culver, Minnesota. Photo courtesy of Deborah Moe. #Snow #MNwx pic.twitter.com/6pMn9xmCJy
— Mark Tarello (@mark_tarello) May 9, 2019
Snow continued to fall through much of Wednesday night. Drier conditions will return to end the week. With sunshine and highs returning into the 50s F in most areas, any areas of snow will likely melt by this weekend.
Snow, heavy at times, continues to fall in the Twin Ports. Roads are snow covered and slippery especially at higher elevations. Here is a look at road conditions on I-35 near Thompson Hill. #mnwx pic.twitter.com/rVxDz2RXV6
— NWS Duluth (@NWSduluth) May 9, 2019
Snow is not uncommon across Minnesota during the month of May. “While it isn’t likely to get heavier amounts of snow during the month of May, it certainly isn’t unprecedented,” AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Matt Rinde said.
“Five years ago on May 2, Rochester, Minnesota, received 14.5 inches of snow,” Rinde said. “That area of heavier snow extended northeastward through western Wisconsin.“
For the city of Duluth, Minnesota, there is about a 1-in-7 chance for snowfall of an inch or more to fall during the month of May, according to Rinde. The last time this occurred prior to Wednesday was in 2010, when 4.5 inches of snow fell on May 7.
Colorado
Significant snow fell in parts of Colorado as well. Winter storm warnings and watches were posted in and around the Boulder and Colorado Springs areas on Thursday.
Snow to continue today in the mountains, foothills and adjacent plains. A mix of rain and snow showers over the far plains. #cowx. pic.twitter.com/XyfNLPIZPb
— NWS Boulder (@NWSBoulder) May 9, 2019
A freeze watch, meaning the temperature could tumble below 32 F, was posted in Denver where many woke up to falling flakes.
Good Morning, Denver! #cowx #snow #helloMay #Brrrrrr @WeatherNation @NWSBoulder @CReppWx @WXRules @weatherdak pic.twitter.com/RxE6Fn3rTR
— Meredith Garofalo (@GarofaloWX) May 9, 2019
The snow made for a wintry scene at the University of Colorado Boulder campus on Thursday, where graduation was taking place. School officials reportedly soldiered on with commencement festivities despite the snow.
It is ON at @CUBoulder, rain (#snow) or shine!!! #Boulder grads will still celebrate their big day with a commencement ceremony in about an hour. ? It starts at 8:30. We’ll be here! Photos courtesy: @eddiecastro55 #COwx #4wx @CBSDenver pic.twitter.com/yzMwJ1XA49
— Mekialaya White (@Mekialaya) May 9, 2019
Meanwhile, some spots in Colorado piled up snow accumulations in excess of 10 inches. As of Thursday morning, Westcliffe topped the list with reports of 12 inches of snow, followed by 11 inches in Ward and 10 inches in Weston Pass.
Snow in MAY!?! The weather is going crazy!
Weather warefarr.geoengineeringwatch.com shows weather manipulation.
Thank you. The first sentence attributed this to mother nature. Fake news.