Blizzard Warning Issued for Yellow Medicine, Redwood, and Brown Counties in Minnesota

Alert Details

The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen has issued a Blizzard Warning for portions of southern and western Minnesota. The alert was issued at 10:28 AM CST on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, as blizzard conditions began occurring across the region.

Affected Areas

The warning specifically covers the following counties in Minnesota:

• Yellow Medicine
• Redwood
• Brown

Specific areas mentioned include the corridor from Granite Falls to Redwood Falls and New Ulm.

Expected Conditions

Residents should prepare for the following hazards:

• Visibility: Visibilities have dropped to less than 1/4 mile in some areas south of the Minnesota River.
• Wind: Wind gusts are reaching as high as 55 mph.
• Snowfall: Total snow accumulations of 2 to 4 inches are expected.
• Impacts: Whiteout conditions are expected to make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Slippery road conditions will impact the Wednesday evening commute, and gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Timeline

The Blizzard Warning is effective immediately and is scheduled to expire at 6:00 PM CST this evening, Wednesday, February 18.

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.