National Weather ServiceMinnesotaBlizzard WatchArchive to October 1, 2026
Blizzard Watches in Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued 0 blizzard watches for Minnesota in 2025 and 4 a year on average in 2008-2025; in 2021-2025 it had the 2nd most of any state. 2026 through September: 0, 100% below the average of 3 for those months in 2008-2025. West Polk was covered most often (18 times since 2008).
How many blizzard watches does Minnesota get?
Every blizzard watch that covered part of Minnesota. 2026 is an outline: the year is not over.
The numbers
| Year | Count |
|---|---|
| 2026 (through September) | 0 |
| 2025 | 0 |
| 2024 | 0 |
| 2023 | 0 |
| 2022 | 0 |
| 2021 | 0 |
| 2020 | 0 |
| 2019 | 0 |
| 2018 | 0 |
| 2017 | 2 |
| 2016 | 13 |
| 2015 | 7 |
| 2014 | 16 |
| 2013 | 8 |
| 2012 | 3 |
| 2011 | 2 |
| 2010 | 4 |
| 2009 | 14 |
| 2008 | 9 |
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
When in the year does Minnesota get them?
Sum of 2008-2025; the busiest month is labelled.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
Where in Minnesota?
| County or forecast zone | Since 2008 | Since 2023 | Last issued |
|---|---|---|---|
| West Polk | 18 | 0 | December 25, 2016 |
| Lincoln | 17 | 0 | February 24, 2017 |
| Lyon | 17 | 0 | February 24, 2017 |
| Wilkin | 17 | 0 | November 18, 2016 |
| Kittson | 16 | 0 | December 25, 2016 |
| Norman | 16 | 0 | February 7, 2016 |
| West Marshall | 16 | 0 | December 25, 2016 |
| Clay | 15 | 0 | February 7, 2016 |
| Big Stone | 14 | 0 | November 18, 2016 |
| Grant | 14 | 0 | November 18, 2016 |
| Murray | 14 | 0 | February 24, 2017 |
| Pipestone | 14 | 0 | February 24, 2017 |
The NWS issues these products for counties or forecast zones; a zone can be part of a county or a mountain range.
Source: Iowa Environmental Mesonet archive of National Weather Service watches, warnings and advisories (VTEC); National Weather Service. Data as of October 1, 2026.
What is a blizzard watch?
A blizzard watch meant blizzard conditions were possible in the coming days. Since October 2017 the NWS covers that possibility with the winter storm watch. A watch means the conditions for the hazard are possible or favourable, but it is not yet happening: be ready to act if a warning follows. The national record · Every warning type in Minnesota.