After a relatively warm and wet November and December of 1974, most Minnesota meteorologists expected a continued pattern of above-normal precipitation in January 1975, but no one expected a record number of snowy days and snow depths by month’s end.

Widespread snow fell Jan. 2, 3 and 6. Over the first week, snowfall accumulations ranged from 4 to 8 inches. The second week brought one of the worst blizzards in state history — so harsh that some meteorologists called it the “storm of the century.”

From Jan. 10-12, winds were constantly between 30 and 50 mph, with gusts peaking between 50 and 80 mph.

The National Weather Service issued blizzard warnings for most of the state, and road and highway closures were widespread. The storm was notable for the use of snowmobiles to rescue stranded motorists.

35 deaths reported

The American Red Cross provided food and shelter for almost 17,000 people stranded by the storm. There were 35 storm-related deaths.

Many areas of the state reported total snowfall ranging from 10 to 20 inches. Weather observers in Brown, Aitkin, Morrison, Itasca, Stearns, Douglas, Big Stone and Crow Wing counties reported more than 20 inches of snow, with drifts up to 20 feet.

The third and fourth weeks of January brought less intense snowfalls, but they were more frequent, accumulating an additional 10 to 18 inches in many areas of the state.

Related:Snowy February: An upward trend in recent decades

And finally, the last few days of the month brought yet a few more inches of snow to most areas.

Snow on most days

Most communities in Minnesota reported snowfall on 19 or 20 days during the month, an unusually high frequency historically.

Over the course of that January, scores of daily snowfall and precipitation (liquid content of the snow) records were set within the state climate reporting network. There were even two daily statewide records established that still stand today:

The statewide average total snowfall for the month was more than 25 inches, and at least 36 climate stations reported their highest-ever January snowfall. Overall, it was the second-snowiest January in history behind only 1969.

Observers in Mille Lacs, Douglas, Crow Wing, Itasca, St. Louis and Koochiching counties reported more than 40 inches for the month, and many stations reported end-of-the-month record snow depths of over 5 feet.

The statewide average precipitation, or liquid equivalent of snow, was 2.4 inches — the second highest in state history, also just behind 1969.

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With the abundant moisture of January, the meteorological winter — which runs from December through February — in 1974-75 ended up as the sixth wettest in Minnesota history.

More on Minnesota’s weather history is available in my book, “Minnesota Weather Almanac: Second Edition,” available at most bookstores or through the Minnesota Historical Society Press.