Blizzard Warning Issued for Renville, Nicollet, and Blue Earth Counties Through Wednesday Evening

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of southwest Minnesota. The alert is in effect immediately as blizzard conditions are already occurring along the Minnesota River.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following counties in Minnesota:

• Renville
• Nicollet
• Blue Earth

Blizzard conditions are reported in areas extending from Granite Falls and Olivia to Redwood Falls, New Ulm, and Mankato.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for the following hazardous conditions:

• Visibility: Visibilities are remaining less than 1/4 mile in areas along the Minnesota River.
• Wind: Gusts are reaching between 45 and 55 mph.
• Snowfall: Additional snow accumulations of up to 3 inches are expected.
• Impacts: Whiteout conditions are expected to make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Hazardous conditions will specifically impact the Wednesday evening commute. Additionally, gusty winds could 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. For the latest road conditions in Minnesota, call 5-1-1 or visit 511mn.org.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective until 6:00 PM CST this evening, Wednesday, February 18. Light to moderate snow is expected to continue resulting in travel impacts throughout the duration of the alert.