On October 30th, meteorologists were eying a large storm in the Southwest United States. Unknown to anyone at the time, it was about to bring massive snowfall and blizzard conditions to much of Minnesota over a three-day period, starting on Halloween. By storm’s end on November 2nd, snowfall records in Duluth (36.9 inches) and the Twin Cities (28.4 inches) were left in its wake. That was followed by the cold, bringing the earliest below-zero temperatures in over a century. The National Weather Service describes the storm as one of Minnesota's signature extreme weather events, and stands as a benchmark against which other winter storms are compared.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews Jim Richardson, forecaster from National Weather Service, on a developing snowstorm hitting much of the state. Richardson forecasts the Twin Cities could see as much as 6-8 inches…maybe even a foot of snow. It was a slight under-forecast. Twin Cities ended up with 28.4 inches.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter describes the start of deteriorating road conditions as a large storm moves into the region. Winter interviews members of Department of Transportation about slippery roads and slow traffic.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter provides updated report on weather conditions and deteriorating road conditions as a large storm moves into the region.
October 31, 1991 - MPR’s Catherine Winter provides another updated report on weather and road conditions as winter storm moves into the region.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Karen Wallevand reports on the impact of storm in Rochester, which seems to be a dividing line for snowfall in region. Thus far, the weather has been rain turning to ice, which is creating road issues. Weather is expected to turn to snow as day progresses.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Cathy Wurzer talks with Brian Watson, a Twin Cities meteorologist as he reflects on the deadly 1940 Armistice Day Blizzard. Watson compares Halloween Blizzard of 1991 as another highly memorable weather event.
November 1, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder talks with MPR reporter Tim Kelly and Mark Seeley, soil sciences professor at University of Minnesota, about winter storm’s impact. Kelly describes weather conditions in state and Seeley discusses impact of storm to farmland.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Jim Mathews, member of the National Weather Service, on the status of winter storm and potential of being largest snow accumulation on record by end of snowfall.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Fudge traverses through the snow in St. Paul to get numerous individuals reactions on the large snowstorm that has hit city. Interviews include a shoveling local resident; a stuck bus driver; a happy skier; a busy liquor store owner; and Ron Gardenhire, Minnesota Twins third base coach, who just wants to go home to Kansas but can’t get his car out of the snow.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Curt Sager, an employee at a Holiday station in Fairmont, about the weather conditions and traffic (or, lack of) in the area.