When does a snowstorm become a blizzard?
According to the National Weather Service, a blizzard must meet these conditions for at least a three-hour stretch:
• It must have sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 miles an hour or greater.
• It must feature large amounts of falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility to less than a quarter mile)
For most people, a memorable snowstorm is measured by the amount of snow on the ground when it wraps up. That number won't be in till Sunday, but here's a list of the heaviest snowfalls in the Twin Cities as compiled by the National Weather Service. (Some of these storms may not have qualified as blizzards.)
Top 20 Twin Cities snowfalls
1. 28.4 inches: Oct. 31-Nov. 3, 1991 (Halloween Blizzard)
2. 21.1 inches: Nov. 29-Dec. 1, 1985
3. 20.0 inches: Jan. 22-23, 1982
4. 17.4 inches: Jan. 20-21, 1982
5. 17.1 inches: Dec. 10-11, 2010
6. 16.8 inches: Nov. 11-12. 1940 (Armistice Day Blizzard)
7. 16.7 inches: March 3-4, 1985
7. 16.7 inches: March 11-14, 1940
9. 16.5 inches: Dec. 27-28, 1982
10. 16.0 inches: Jan. 20-21, 1917
11. 16.0 inches: March 8-9, 1999
12. 14.7 inches: March 31, 1985
13. 14.3 inches: Nov. 29-30, 1991
14. 14.1 inches: March 22-23, 1952
15. 14.1 inches: Nov. 27-Dec. 1, 1983
16. 13.8 inches: Feb. 20-21, 2011
17. 13.6 inches: March 22-23, 1966
17. 13.6 inches: April 14, 1983
19. 13.1 inches: Dec. 13-15, 1983
20. 13.0 inches: April 27-28, 1907
Patrick Kennedy • 612-673-7926