Collection
Minnesota Lore - The Halloween Blizzard of 1991
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.
46 Collection Items
- Diane Glancy reads "Snow," about the Halloween blizzard
Voices from the Heartland presents poet Diane Glancy reading "Snow," which is a reflection on the Halloween blizzard of 1991.
- Nature's way in snow storm - How animals are coping with weather
MPR’s Gary Eichten interviews naturalist about how animals are adapting to to massive snowstorm. The different experiences of small birds, squirrels, pheasants, and deer are detailed. Not surprisingly, hibernators are the big winners.
- What went wrong? Transportation officials mount snow defense
MPR’s Bill Catlin interviews MNDOT and MTC officials about what went wrong with maintaining roads and bus service in the Twin Cities during and after Halloween blizzard. Topic on communication issues is highlighted.
- Bill Wareham reports on slow roads again
MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on some reasons behind slow roads. Jim Scheibel, St. Paul mayor, explains issues with plowing certain areas of town. Bob Otto, Minneapolis maintenance engineer, shares challenges of plows getting stuck and winds blowing snow back onto cleared areas.
- National Guard captain on generator distribution
Midmorning’s Paula Schroeder interviews Patrick Hansen, a National Guard captain, about distribution of generators for rural residents without power after Halloween blizzard hit much of the state.
- John O'Rourke describes scene in Austin after ice storm
MPR’s Liz Hannon interviews John O’Rourke, mayor of Austin, about the impact storm system on city. While Austin only received about an inch of snow, they also received a couple inches of ice, damaging trees and powerlines. Much of the town was left without power in dropping temperatures.
- Bad snow, and slow snow removal in St. Paul
MPR’s Bill Wareham reports on snow removal problems in St. Paul. Due to a failure of private contractors, four areas of the city were bypassed for plowing. Minneapolis road challenges are also mentioned.
- Robert Sorlie describes conditions in Albert Lea after blizzard
MPR’s Liz Hannon interviews Robert Sorlie, an Albert Lea resident about the challenging conditions after blizzard hit area. Sorlie details downed tree limbs, ice, power outages, and a run on supplies at few stores that opened. The blizzard was part of a statewide weather event.
- Storm recovery slow in rural areas like Sargeant
MPR’s Carol Schotzko reports on the impact of snowstorm to, the small southern Minnesota town of Sargeant. There are numerous power outages and downed frozen powerlines.
- MTC says today worst day for commuters
MPR’s Gary Eichten talks with Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC) official about the delays on roads during morning rush hour, which lasted an incredibly long 6-10:30 AM. If anything should have been done differently regarding bus service during snowstorm is also discussed.