Spring Storm: March 27-28, 2003

A classic spring storm brought some beneficial precipitation to Minnesota on Thursday March 27 and Friday March 28. Many places in southeast and south central Minnesota picked up around an inch of precipitation. One of the heavier amounts was at Rushford with 1.75 inches. There was a sharp cut off to the precipitation to the northwest. The Twin Cities International Airport received .59 inches, while St. Cloud picked up a few hundredths. The precipitation fell mainly as snow in northeast Minnesota, with some impressive amounts reported. Grand Marias picked up 8 inches and Duluth received 10.1 inches of snow. In addition, a heavy snow event on Thursday dropped up to a foot of snow in the Warroad and Baudette area. The snow gradually tapered off over northeast Minnesota and northwest Wisconsin on March 29.

Snowfall plot from the Duluth National Weather Service.

Enough snow has fallen for people to enjoy winter recreation activities one more time this season. Listed below is a DNR information release on snowmobile trails. 

DNR NEWS - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE			                
                      	MARCH 28, 2003
Media contact: Les Ollila, DNR Trails & Waterways regional manager,
(218) 327-4408.

DNR to snowmobilers: Watch for closed gates

Thursday's snowfall came after many snowmobile trails had melted to
bare ground. Gates have been closed on many trails to protect the thawed
soft ground from damage. Some of these gates may be reopened this
weekend to allow snowmobilers one more run where there is enough snow. 

The DNR is asking trail users to check ahead on trail conditions and
use caution when snowmobiling.  DNR officials said snowmobilers should
watch for downed trees from heavy snows.  Most of the gates on the North
Shore State Trail are currently being opened anticipating more snow.
Watch for gates that may not have been reopened. Local club snowmobile
trails close for the season on April 1.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources urges riders to check
trail conditions on the DNR Web site www.dnr.state.mn.us and with local
Chambers of Commerce.

The increased precipitation in the form of snow and rain has increased
the potential for damage to the soft ground. The DNR Web site has a
current listing of the roads and trails in state forests that are
temporarily closed to OHV traffic during this wet season. The DNR is
asking snowmobilers to help keep these roads and trails useable for the
rest of the season by staying off them during this fragile time.

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URL: http://climate.umn.edu/doc/journal/snow030327.htm
Last modified: March 31, 2003