Winter Storm Warning Issued for Central Minnesota: Heavy Snow and Strong Winds Expected Through Sunday

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN has issued a Winter Storm Warning for central Minnesota. This alert is in response to a powerful winter storm on track to bring extreme snow accumulations and strong winds to the region. The warning is effective from 4:00 PM CDT Saturday afternoon through 10:00 PM CDT Sunday.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following counties in central Minnesota:

• Douglas
• Todd
• Morrison
• Mille Lacs
• Kanabec

Expected Conditions

Residents in the warned area should prepare for the following conditions:

• Snow Accumulations: Total snow accumulations between 8 and 12 inches are expected.
• Wind Speeds: Northwest winds will increase, with gusts reaching as high as 40 mph.
• Visibility: Widespread blowing snow is expected to significantly reduce visibility, potentially creating blizzard conditions late Sunday morning through the evening.
• Impacts: Travel could become very difficult to impossible. The heavy, wet nature of the snow may lead to infrastructure damage and poses a health hazard for those shoveling. Gusty winds may also bring down tree branches.

Timeline

• Onset: The storm is expected to begin impacting the area at 4:00 PM CDT Saturday, March 14.
• Peak Intensity: Heavy snow rates and increasing winds are expected late Saturday night through Sunday.
• Expiration: The Winter Storm Warning is currently scheduled to expire at 10:00 PM CDT Sunday, March 15.

What You Should Do

The National Weather Service advises against travel. If you must travel, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. For the latest road conditions in Minnesota, call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org.