The Armistice Day blizzard of 1940 is widely regarded as one of, if not the most severe blizzard to hit the state of Minnesota in recorded history.
One element that made the storm so devastating was that it was extremely mild when the day started, with temperatures in the 50s and 60s in many areas. But by afternoon, the Arctic air was pouring into the region, dropping temperatures below freezing with wind-driven snow.
Up to 27 inches fell in central Minnesota. Here in the Red River Valley area, the storm brought only light snow and the cold air had arrived as the day had begun so there was less of a surprise. But blizzard conditions did develop.
In all, 145 deaths are blamed on the storm, including 66 men on freighters in the Great Lakes and 49 people in Minnesota, many of them duck hunters out enjoying the fine morning weather that day.
