Winter Storm Grades

For a winter storm to receive a grade, the following criteria must be met:

A warning is issued for 5 or more counties (due to snow);
Warning criteria is met for 5 or more counties (6+") without a warning issued; or,
Warning criteria is met for 2 or more counties (12+") without a warning issued.

Note: a grade is not assigned for events that have warnings issued solely due to impacts or for mixed precipitation events. This grading system is based largely on objective criteria which can be hard to maintain in complex scenarios. The goal is to have grades posted within 3 to 5 days of the event.

Elements graded:

6" contour spatial error
Magnitude of snow error
Onset timing error
Peak wind speed error
POD/FAR
Warning lead time
Impact messaging

Other criteria:

6” contour error will only be calculated if there is a large, continuous area of 6+ inches forecasted and observed. A forecast calling for 4 to 7 inches may include pockets of 6 inch bullseyes which make it difficult to objectively calculate distance between forecast amounts and actual amounts.
Some criteria may not be applicable with some storms, like 6” contour error or wind speed. Those won’t be included with the grade.
If a warning is not issued, the grade will be based on the forecast with 12 hours lead time.
Total possible points will be based on criteria being included.
- Grade = (actual points/possible points) X 100

Final note: local conditions and individual perceptions from the wide ranging types of our customers may vary from the objective grade calculated over a large area.

Scroll down the page for year, or go directly:

2018-2019

December 1: Southern Minnesota Winter Storm

2017-2018

January 22: Heavy Snowfall from central/southern Minnesota into west central Wisconsin
February 24: Heavy Snowfall across central Minnesota into northwest Wisconsin
March 5-6: Heavy Snow, Wintry Mix, Strong Winds
March 23-24: Heavy Snow across southern Minnesota
March 30-31: Heavy Snow across central Minnesota and western Wisconsin
April 13-16: Historic Winter Storm/Blizzard

2016-2017

November 17-18: Western Minnesota Heavy Snow/Blizzard
February 23-24: Heavy Snowfall from southern Minnesota into west central Wisconsin