A relentless snowfall changed the lakes area from autumn to winter overnight, with nearly a foot of snow reported in a swath from Motley to points northeast of Grand Rapids.
Motley reported the largest snowfall in the lakes region at 11 inches followed closely by Brainerd with 10 inches and Baxter with 9.3 inches of fresh snow with a consistency like powdered sugar.
Moisture laden at first, the heavy wet snow created an icy foundation with lighter snow later accumulating on top.
RELATED:
November provides record-breaking warmth
It started to snow in the lakes area just before 5:30 p.m. and just after 8 p.m. 6 inches of snow already blanketed the ground. Before the snowfall ended by 11:30 p.m., the total rose to 10 inches in west Brainerd.
Across the state 3-6 of snow was widespread in a diagonal line from the southwest corner of the state through the Arrowhead, with a half-inch to 2 inches falling on the edges of the storm track as it pushed through the state. The snowstorm fell on the 45th anniversary of the sinking of the Edmund Fitzgerald in Lake Superior with the loss of her 29-member crew Nov. 10, 1975.
"We're holding our own." The last words from the S/S Edmund Fitzgerald spoken around 7:10 PM EST (6:10 PM CST) 45 years ago tonight. More information on the story can be found from NWS Marquette at https://t.co/b02Gtm324V. pic.twitter.com/yWcoF3aJ4C
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The snowfall for Nov. 10 fell just shy of a record in Brainerd. The recordholder for the highest snowfall for the date remains 11 inches of snow in 1991.
Snowfall totals
11 inches near Motley
10 inches Brainerd
9.3 inches Baxter
9 inches St. Mathias
8.3 inches Vineland
8 inches Cuyuna
8 inches Breezy Point
7.5 inches Nisswa
7 inches Little Falls
7 inches Aitkin
6.5 inches Ironton
6.5 inches near Camp Ripley
6 inches near Deerwood
3.8 inches Pequot Lakes
1.5 inches near Pine River
Here are the snowfall totals for yesterday and last night. Not only did we see snow, but some freezing rain as well! Want to report snowfall totals to the National Weather Service on a regular basis? Join CoCoRaHS! Visit https://t.co/SxAkxIkiQI for more information. #mnwx #wiwx pic.twitter.com/bOChSpcCK5
#snow ended before 11:30 pm. 10 inches measured in the grass in multiple sites in Brainerd from Tuesday’s incredible snowfall. Icy underneath. #mnwx @NWSduluth pic.twitter.com/f55cXomnOy
Quick burst of snow Thursday
“Snow showers on Thursday may bring minor snow accumulations from the Brainerd Lakes area to the North Shore and eastward into parts of northwest Wisconsin,” the National Weather Service in Duluth reported. “An area of low pressure will bring the potential for snow
accumulation or a wintry mix this weekend.”
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Snowfall may be a dusting to less than an inch through central and northern Minnesota.
Warmth may not be over yet
While it looks and feels like winter, warmer temperatures are still in the forecast.
Expect a sunny day and temperatures near the mid-30s for Friday with breezy conditions. There is a slight chance of rain and snow between noon and 1 p.m. Saturday and a slight chance of rain after 1 p.m. as temperatures may rise to 40 degrees Saturday with a south wind.
A slight chance of rain and snow will persist into the night. For Sunday, expect party sunny skies and a high near 36 degrees to allow melting and a potential to clear sidewalks and roadways.
The forecast calls for mostly sunny skies Monday with highs again near 34 degrees. Temperatures are expected to rise slightly Tuesday and Wednesday with abundant sunshine, perhaps reaching as high as 41 degrees.
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