A powerful winter storm sweeping Minnesota has dumped heavy snowfall and brought gusty winds, prompting snow-emergency declarations and making driving conditions hazardous. Travel remains difficult across large swathes of the state, with numerous accidents and spinouts reported on icy roads and officials warning of continued delays. Dozens of school districts have canceled or delayed classes, and road crews are struggling to clear snow-clogged highways as blowing snow and drifts persist.

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Storm Impact on Travel

The winter storm moved into Minnesota on Tuesday, bringing a messy mix of freezing rain, sleet, and heavy snow that rapidly turned roads treacherous. By Tuesday afternoon and evening, a steady stream of wet, heavy snow was falling across much of the state, complicating rush-hour commutes and causing major traffic disruptions.

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) reported slick, snow-covered highways in many areas, and a no-travel advisory was even issued for part of western Minnesota as conditions deteriorated. Visibility dropped in the blowing snow and winds gusting up to 40–50 mph in open areas, creating near-whiteout conditions in some regions.

The dangerous travel conditions led to numerous crashes and closures. By 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, the Minnesota State Patrol had responded to roughly 130 crashes on state highways (including about a dozen with injuries) and nearly 150 vehicles that spun out or slid off roadways.

In one pileup on Interstate 94 near Monticello, four semi-trucks and an SUV collided, spilling a truckload of pasta across the freeway and briefly shutting it down. Amid the chaos, authorities urged drivers to stay home if possible. “Travel is going to be bad… I’d recommend against it,” a National Weather Service meteorologist warned as the storm intensified.

Even Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport saw weather impacts – more than 130 flight departures were delayed Tuesday due to de-icing and snow removal operations on runways.

Snow totals from the storm ranged from a few inches to well over half a foot in the hardest-hit areas. Northwestern Minnesota saw some of the highest accumulations, with Thief River Falls receiving about 8 inches of snow.

Central Minnesota towns like Brainerd and Cambridge measured around 6–7 inches, while parts of the Twin Cities metro recorded 4–5 inches in suburban communities. Officially, 3.4 inches fell at the Minneapolis–St. Paul airport , but totals of 5+ inches were common in many northern Twin Cities suburbs. South-central Minnesota got a wintry mix that held snow totals lower (around 2–4 inches), though ice made those areas equally hazardous.

The storm’s broad footprint stretched from the northwest down through the Twin Cities into western Wisconsin, where a winter storm warning had been in effect for an expansive swath of territory.

In parts of southern and southwestern Minnesota, the snow was accompanied by powerful winds – gusts to 50 mph – prompting blizzard-like conditions. Open highways from Albert Lea west toward Worthington experienced periods of near-blizzard conditions due to blowing snow.

As the snow tapered off overnight, frigid air and residual wind kept travel conditions challenging into Wednesday. Many roads remained snow-packed or icy on Wednesday morning, especially secondary highways and neighborhood streets that plows hadn’t reached.

Commuters faced a messy morning commute, with reports of countless spinouts on ramps and intersections and plow crews struggling to keep up. “Roads are in bad shape in the Twin Cities and across Minnesota,” FOX 9 reported early Wednesday, noting major routes were still partially or completely covered despite continuous plowing efforts.

MnDOT had nearly 800 plow trucks out statewide, but officials cautioned that full cleanup would take longer than usual given the storm’s wide impact and lingering winds. Drivers were reminded to slow down, allow extra stopping distance, and expect variable conditions that could change mile to mile.

Snow Emergencies and School Disruptions

In the wake of the storm, local authorities enacted special measures to facilitate cleanup. Snow emergencies were declared in numerous communities to ban street parking and allow plows to clear accumulated snow. Several Twin Cities suburbs (including West St. Paul, New Hope, and Brooklyn Park) announced snow emergencies by Tuesday night.

By Wednesday, both Minneapolis and St. Paul declared citywide snow emergencies as well, effective from Wednesday evening onward, to tackle the piles of snow on residential streets. Residents in those cities must move their vehicles off designated routes or risk towing, as crews undertake a multi-day plowing operation to restore drivable conditions.

The storm also upended school schedules across Minnesota. A growing list of school districts decided to cancel classes or delay start times on Wednesday morning as roads were unsafe for buses and teen drivers. Many districts in central and southern Minnesota, including areas around St. Cloud and Rochester, called two-hour late starts or switched to e-learning days.

On Tuesday, anticipating the storm, some schools had dismissed students early to get them home before conditions worsened. The widespread closures and delays underlined the storm’s disruption — from urban schools in the Twin Cities to rural districts, administrators erred on the side of caution. Even where classes remained open, parents were warned that school buses could be significantly delayed because of the slippery roads.

Those relying on public transit or intercity travel also felt the effects. Metro Transit warned riders to expect bus delays, and Metro Mobility (a dial-a-ride service for seniors and people with disabilities) cautioned that its vehicles were running behind schedule due to the road conditions.

Greyhound and other intercity bus services experienced slow-going on highways that normally connect regional hubs. Meanwhile, freight and delivery trucks faced their own challenges; the multiple semi-truck accidents and jackknifed trailers highlighted the difficulties for long-haul drivers navigating Minnesota’s icy arteries. Some smaller regional airports in outstate Minnesota saw temporary closures or delays, though the main MSP airport worked through the night to clear runways.

Disruption Likelihood (Next 24–48 Hours)

The likelihood of continued travel disruption in the next 24–48 hours is high across the impacted regions. Even though the snowfall has ended, the aftermath of the storm is still being felt on roads and travel networks. Temperatures have dropped behind the storm, leading to refreezing of slush into ice and keeping any untreated surfaces very slick.

Strong winds persist in parts of the state, which means blowing snow and sudden whiteout bursts could continue in open areas, especially in western and southern Minnesota. This will prolong hazardous driving conditions on rural highways — snow drifts may quickly cover freshly plowed roads, and visibility can worsen unexpectedly.

Ongoing cleanup operations are likely to slow travel for at least another day or two. Snowplow crews are working long hours to widen lanes and clear remaining snow, but it will take time to reach all secondary and rural roads. Until then, many side streets and county roads will remain only partially passable.

In cities, the snow emergency parking rules will be in effect over the next 2–3 days, which could complicate parking and local traffic patterns until all the plowing is completed. Commuters on Thursday should be prepared for lingering delays as well – refrozen patches and narrower lanes (due to snowbanks) mean slower speeds and continued caution.

Beyond road travel, knock-on effects from the storm may still disrupt other modes of transport. Airlines were working to get back on schedule after the wave of delays, but residual aircraft repositioning could lead to some delays or cancellations in the next day at MSP and regional airports.

Likewise, any backlog of freight deliveries may take a day or two to sort out, potentially affecting shipping times. Given that an extremely cold air mass is moving in by the weekend (with subzero wind chills forecast ), additional challenges like vehicle breakdowns and equipment failures could arise, further impacting travel reliability.

Affected Regions & Who Is Impacted

This winter storm impacted a broad swath of Minnesota, from small towns to major cities. The heaviest snow fell across an arc from northwestern and central Minnesota into the Twin Cities and western Wisconsin. Communities along major corridors like Interstate 94 and I-35 found themselves under several inches of snow, and many of those areas also dealt with periods of ice.

Virtually the entire state experienced some form of winter weather from this system: northern counties were buried in snow, the Twin Cities metro got a messy mix of snow and sleet, and southern counties saw more rain/ice but still ended up with slick roads. Even neighboring states were affected – parts of eastern North Dakota and northern Wisconsin received similar snowfall, and travel was impacted region-wide.

Anyone traveling by road in Minnesota is feeling the storm’s fallout. The impact is greatest on drivers: commuters, truckers, and intercity travelers have all encountered delays or dangerous conditions. Those driving on unplowed rural roads or gravel/unpaved routes are particularly at risk, as deep snow and drifts have made many backroads impassable.

In agricultural areas and open country, the combination of snowpack and wind created classic ground blizzards that stranded some vehicles. Urban drivers face different challenges: snow-choked city streets and parking restrictions under snow emergencies. Residents who park on city streets have had to move their cars to avoid towing, and plow ridges at intersections are making city driving tricky.

Public transportation users and air travelers are also among the impacted. Bus services ran slower than normal, and some routes experienced gaps as buses got stuck or delayed. Airlines serving Minnesota, especially at MSP, had to de-ice planes and cope with snow-covered taxiways on Tuesday; by Wednesday there were still delays rippling through airline schedules as they worked to recover.

Travelers connecting through Minnesota or flying into the region have encountered disrupted itineraries. Additionally, freight transport – from UPS/FedEx delivery vans up to 18-wheelers – saw slowdowns. Supply trucks faced highway closures like the one on Highway 19 and detours around accident sites.

In short, the storm’s reach is statewide, and its impact is being felt by anyone who must be on the move – whether it’s a family driving to work or school, a truck driver hauling goods, or a visitor passing through Minnesota. The storm hit at a time when early December holiday travel was just beginning to ramp up, compounding the effects by catching many more people on the roads than a typical weekday.

Why Travelers Should Care

If you’re traveling in or through Minnesota over the next couple of days, you should be prepared for significant disruptions and dangers related to this storm’s aftermath. Road travel, in particular, is still far from normal. Expect slower traffic, closures of some secondary roads, and the possibility of sudden weather-related delays (like new snow squalls or ice if winds polish the pavement).

It’s wise to avoid any non-essential travel, especially in the hardest-hit regions, until road crews have a chance to finish clearing and conditions improve. If you must drive, plan for extra time and drive defensively – keep your speed down and give plenty of distance to the vehicle ahead.

Check Minnesota’s 511 road conditions map for the latest closures or trouble spots before you head out , and heed any local advisories. For example, some counties in western Minnesota explicitly told drivers to stay off the roads during the height of the storm, and that advice still holds in some areas until plows can catch up.

For air and rail travelers, stay in communication with your carriers. Airlines may continue to adjust schedules as they deal with the backlog, so verify your flight status (and any connecting flights) before going to the airport.

Amtrak and bus lines in the region could also experience knock-on delays, so check for alerts if you’re using those services. If you’re flying out of MSP, factor in a little extra time to get to the airport – the roads to the airport could be slower than usual, and parking lots are likely snowy or filling up due to earlier cancellations.

Be aware of the ongoing snow emergency rules in cities like Minneapolis and St. Paul if your travels involve those areas. Parking in the wrong spot at the wrong time could get your car towed – not the surprise you want on a winter trip.

Pay attention to street signage and city announcements about where parking is restricted on each day of the snow emergency. Travelers staying in the Twin Cities should also know that sidewalks might be uncleared in places; good boots and warm attire are a must if you’ll be walking anywhere.

The best course for travelers is caution and patience; let the road crews do their work, stay informed via weather and traffic updates, and don’t rush. Winter has only just begun, and being prepared will help you stay safe on your journey.

FAQ

Q1. How much snow did the Minnesota storm bring?
Most areas saw 4–8 inches of snow, with northwestern regions near the upper end of that range and Twin Cities suburbs getting around 4–5 inches.

Q2. Why were road conditions so dangerous?
Freezing rain, sleet, and heavy snow created slick, icy surfaces, while 40–50 mph winds caused drifting and near-whiteout visibility.

Q3. How many crashes were reported?
By Tuesday evening, the State Patrol responded to roughly 130 crashes and nearly 150 spinouts or vehicles sliding off the road.

Q4. Which highways were most affected?
Sections of I-94, I-35, and rural routes in western and southern Minnesota experienced severe icing, drifting, and temporary closures.

Q5. Were flights delayed at MSP?
Yes. More than 130 departures were delayed due to snow removal and aircraft de-icing operations.

Q6. Why were snow emergencies declared?
Cities declared snow emergencies to enforce parking rules and allow plows to clear residential streets over multiple days.

Q7. How did the storm affect schools?
Dozens of districts canceled classes, delayed start times, or shifted to e-learning due to hazardous travel conditions.

Q8. Are travel delays expected to continue?
Yes. Refreezing, lingering winds, and continued plowing will likely slow travel for the next 24–48 hours.

Q9. Who is most impacted by the storm?
Drivers, commuters, truckers, air travelers, and public transit users are all affected by snowpack, ice, and disrupted schedules.

Q10. What should travelers do now?
Avoid non-essential travel, monitor 511MN maps, check flight status frequently, and follow snow-emergency parking rules in affected areas.