Blizzard Warning Issued for Le Sueur, Rice, and Steele Counties Through Monday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of southern Minnesota. The alert is currently in effect and remains active until 7:00 AM CDT on Monday, March 16. The warning was triggered by very heavy snow and significantly increasing winds that are creating dangerous blizzard conditions.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following counties in Minnesota:

• Le Sueur
• Rice
• Steele

Expected Conditions

Residents in the warning area should prepare for extreme winter weather conditions, including:

• Snow Accumulation: Additional accumulations of 12 to 18 inches are expected. Snowfall rates may reach 2 to 3 inches per hour through mid-morning.
• Sleet: Approximately one-third of an inch of sleet accumulation is forecast for Steele County.
• Wind: Northwest winds will increase to 30 to 40 mph, with gusts reaching as high as 50 mph.
• Visibility: Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, creating whiteout conditions.
• Impacts: Travel is expected to be very difficult to impossible. The hazardous conditions will likely impact the Monday morning commute, and gusty winds may bring down tree branches.

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit with you. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle. Residents are encouraged to prepare for potential road closures and shelter in place as conditions worsen. For the latest road conditions in Minnesota, call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 7:00 AM CDT on Monday, March 16. While snow may taper off from northwest to southeast later this afternoon and evening, blowing snow and blizzard conditions are expected to persist into tonight.