Blizzard Warning Issued for West Central Minnesota: Up to 15 Inches of Snow and 45 MPH Gusts Expected

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN has issued a Blizzard Warning for west central Minnesota. This follows an initial Winter Storm Warning as a powerful system moves through the Upper Midwest, bringing extreme snow accumulations and dangerous wind speeds.

Affected Areas

The following Minnesota counties are under the warning:

• Stevens
• Pope
• Lac Qui Parle
• Swift
• Chippewa
• Kandiyohi
• Yellow Medicine
• Renville

Expected Conditions

A major winter storm is on track to deliver significant hazards to the region:

• Snowfall: Total snow accumulations between 10 and 15 inches are expected. Snowfall rates may reach 2 to 2.5 inches per hour late tonight.
• Winds: Wind gusts will reach up to 35 mph during the initial storm phase, increasing to 45 mph during the blizzard phase on Sunday.
• Visibility: Whiteout conditions are expected due to the combination of falling and blowing snow, making travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening.
• Infrastructure: The high water content will make the snow very heavy, leading to potential infrastructure damage and health hazards for those shoveling.

Timeline

• Winter Storm Warning: In effect from 4:00 PM Saturday, March 14, until 10:00 AM CDT Sunday, March 15.
• Blizzard Warning: In effect from 10:00 AM Sunday, March 15, until 4:00 AM CDT Monday, March 16.

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 should prepare now for potential road closures and shelter in place once conditions worsen. For updated road conditions, call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org.