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.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Tom Meersman interviews a city official on the preparation and current actions being taken in attempt to clear large amount of snow from streets. The city’s planned leaf removal maintenance has been sidelined until maybe next April.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Marlana Benzie describes the snowy and windy conditions impacting the city. Many roads are unplowed and unpassable, especially on the hillside.
November 1, 1991 - Morning Edition’s Mark Heistad interviews Jim Mathews, forecaster at National Weather Service, about the surprising intensity and amount of snowfall. Mathews details some reasons behind powerful storm.
November 1, 1991 - Midday’s Bob Potter talks with Kathy Heidel, naturalist at Carver Park Reserve, on how animals are dealing with the massive snowstorm. Heidel describes how she believes animals were far less surprised by blizzard than people in region, and prepared much better.
November 1, 1991 - Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder interviews Ken Moore, of AAA, who details the busy work going on in trying to assist drivers stuck in the snow. Interview is followed by a report from MPR’s Karen Wallevand on the ice issues on roads in Rochester.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Karen Boothe interviews Bob LaShomb, of Metro Transit Commission, about the status of morning bus service after large snowstorm arrives into the Twin Cities.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Lorna Benson reports on officials’ frustration over people traveling on roads during storm, with many becoming stranded. Roads are becoming increasingly unpassable except for emergencies. Snow removal crews in Mankato were pulled off roads out of safety to workers.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Mary Losure presents numerous interview audio clips of how Twin Cities residents have been dealing with commutes during the snowstorm. No one seems to be a fan of MTC bus service…or the snow.
November 1, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews Daryl Sherman, member of Minnesota Department of Transportation, who describes the various road conditions throughout the state as strong snowstorm moves through region. Ice and blowing snow are posing the biggest problems.
November 1, 1991 - Midday’s Bob Potter interviews Todd Krause, forecaster at the Minneapolis National Weather Service office; and Daryl Sherman, of Minnesota Department of Transportation about blizzard hitting the region. Snow accumulation, snowdrifts, and road conditions are discussed.