Blizzard Warning Issued for Martin, Faribault, and Freeborn Counties Through Monday Morning

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN has issued a Blizzard Warning and a Winter Storm Warning for southern Minnesota. The alert is classified as an extreme severity event with likely certainty.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically impacts the following counties in Minnesota:

• Martin
• Faribault
• Freeborn

What You Should Do

Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, ensure you have a winter survival kit in your vehicle. If you become stranded, stay with your vehicle. Residents are urged to prepare for potential road closures and to shelter in place once conditions worsen. If interstate highways are closed, assume state and county roads are also impassable. For updated road conditions, call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org.

Expected Conditions

Conditions will begin with a wintry mix of rain, freezing rain, and sleet. Expected accumulations include:

• Ice: Up to one-tenth of an inch.
• Sleet: Approximately one-quarter of an inch.
• Snow: Total accumulations between 3 and 5 inches during the blizzard phase, following initial mixed precipitation.
• Wind: Northwest winds of 30 to 40 mph with gusts reaching up to 55 mph.

These conditions will create whiteout visibility and treacherous, potentially life-threatening travel. The heavy water content of the snow may also lead to infrastructure damage and health hazards during snow removal.

Timeline

• Winter Storm Warning: In effect from 4:00 AM to 1:00 PM CDT Sunday.
• Blizzard Warning: In effect from 1:00 PM Sunday to 4:00 AM CDT Monday.