Minnesota weather is part of daily life, and it brings with it many “extremes.” This collection presents some of those…from the floods of the Red River Valley, the blowdown in the BWCA, the Halloween Blizzard, to the devasting tornado in St. Peter. But were a state of many meteorological dimensions, not just tornadoes and blizzards. Below are memories of oppressive drought, the creep of flood waters, nature driven fire, and those glorious 50-degree December day anomalies. While these stories may attempt to explain the why, where, and what of various weather events, what is striking is the undeniable power of the human experience in the face of it all.
July 19, 1988 - MPR’s Mike Mulcahy interviews Jim Zandlo, state climatologist, about the potential reasons behind and forecasting of extreme drought conditions seen in Minnesota.
November 29, 1988 - MPR’s Stephen Smith profiles those in Meeker County as they endure the extreme drought conditions. This part of the state was one hit hardest by the dry weather in 1988.
December 17, 1988 - MPR’s Kate Smith looks back at the extreme drought that enveloped Minnesota in 1988. Smith speaks with a farmer and climatologist to get their stark take of the weather event.
January 7, 1989 - MPR’s Mark Zdechlik reports on the deteriorating conditions around Fargo as a dangerous blizzard set in northwestern Minnesota. Zdechlik notes large amounts of falling snow, wind chills, and road closures.
March 23, 1991 - MPR’s Joe Kelly reports on the effects from an ice storm in Duluth that left all TV and radio stations off the air. The large 850-foot WDIO broadcast TV tower toppled to the ground due to ice and wind.
April 29, 1991 - MPR’s Mark Heistad interviews James Campbell, an official at the National Weather Service, about tornadoes in Minnesota. Campbell discusses historical patterns in the region and safety measures that one should take during a tornado.
July 22, 1991 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder and Joe Follansbee discuss the situation in Stockton, Minneosta after a flash flood swept through town. Follansbee describes a mess of mud and debris.
September 9, 1991 - MPR’s Gary Eichten speaks with a central Minnesotan farmer who recounts his experience of 9-inch rainfall and being humbled by the wrath of nature.
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.
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.