Winter Storm and Blizzard Warnings Issued for Central and Western Minnesota
This alert is no longer in effect.
NOAA issued it on April 6, 2026, 4 months ago. Warnings of this kind stay in effect for hours to a few days, so this page is a historical record of what was issued, not a current warning. For conditions where you are right now, check weather.gov (US), weather.gc.ca (Canada), the Met Office (UK), or the Bureau of Meteorology (Australia).
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A powerful winter storm is expected to bring 10 to 15 inches of snow and blizzard conditions to central and western Minnesota through Monday morning.
Read this weather record in 30 seconds
- Record type
- Winter Storm Warning
- Affected area
- Central and Western Minnesota
- Issued
- April 6, 2026
- Issuing authority
- NWS Twin Cities
Storm notices can cover different combinations of wind, hail, lightning, and rainfall. Use the original notice for the hazards and boundaries attached to this specific record.
Record status: historical. It was issued 4 months ago; use the issuing agency's live warning service for current conditions in Central and Western Minnesota.
Alert Details
The National Weather Service in Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN has issued a Winter Storm Warning and a subsequent Blizzard Warning for several counties in Minnesota. The Winter Storm Warning is in effect from 4:00 PM CDT Saturday until 10:00 AM CDT Sunday, followed immediately by a Blizzard Warning that remains in effect until 4:00 AM CDT Monday.
Affected Areas
The following Minnesota counties are under these warnings:
- Stevens
- Pope
- Lac Qui Parle
- Swift
- Chippewa
- Kandiyohi
- Yellow Medicine
- Renville
What You Should Do
Residents are advised that 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. Prepare for potential road closures and shelter in place once conditions worsen. For the latest road conditions, call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org. Note that if interstate highways are closed, state and county roads will also be impassable.
Expected Conditions
- Snow Accumulations: Total snow accumulations between 10 and 15 inches are expected during the Winter Storm Warning period, with an additional two inches possible during the blizzard phase.
- Wind Speeds: Winds will gust as high as 35 mph during the initial storm, increasing to 45 mph during the Blizzard Warning.
- Visibility: Widespread blowing snow will significantly reduce visibility, leading to whiteout conditions.
- Hazards: The heavy snowpack may lead to infrastructure damage and poses a health hazard for those shoveling. Gusty winds could also bring down tree branches.
Timeline
- Winter Storm Warning: Effective from 4:00 PM CDT Saturday, March 14, until 10:00 AM CDT Sunday, March 15.
- Blizzard Warning: Effective from 10:00 AM CDT Sunday, March 15, until 4:00 AM CDT Monday, March 16.
- Peak Intensity: Snowfall rates of 2 to 2.5 inches per hour are likely late Saturday night, with blizzard conditions developing late Sunday morning through Sunday evening.
Original source: NOAA Official Notice ↗
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