Heavy snow zone trending north into Twin Cities area; double-digit snowfall close by
Twin Cities snowfall forecast rises; blizzard conditions across southern Minnesota
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Our inbound early March snow and windstorm in continues to close in and intensify over southern Minnesota. Tuesday’s forecast model trends keep pushing heavier snow bands farther north into more of the greater Twin Cities area.
That means snowfall projections continue to rise for parts of the Twin Cities. Check out the latest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration digital snowfall output on the map above.
The latest forecast models suggest double-digit snowfall is more likely in the southern Twin Cities, all the way south to Interstate 90.
Tuesday’s misty rain changes to a heavy, wind-driven, wet-cement snow across Minnesota. The most intense snowfall bands will occur between about midnight and 7 a.m. to 8 a.m. Wednesday.
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NOAA’s latest available 18Z model run shows the transition to snow and the heavier banding setting up overnight across southeastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. The forecast model loop below runs between 6 p.m. Tuesday and noon Wednesday.
Winds will gust from 35 mph to more than 50 mph across southern Minnesota overnight into Wednesday morning.
Expect the worst travel conditions to occur between 9 p.m. Tuesday and about noon Wednesday.
Winter storm warnings cover the greater Twin Cities area:
Including the cities of Stillwater, Center City, Chanhassen, Hastings, Osceola, Hudson, Gaylord, Shakopee, Victoria, St Paul, Chaska, Blaine, Minneapolis, and Rice Lake
145 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025 ...WINTER STORM WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM CST WEDNESDAY...
* WHAT...Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 9 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
* WHERE...In Minnesota, Sibley, Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, and Washington Counties. In Wisconsin, Barron, Polk, and St. Croix Counties.
* WHEN...From 7 PM this evening to 3 PM CST Wednesday.
* IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.
Blizzard warnings cover most of southern Minnesota:
URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
145 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025
...HEAVY SNOWFALL AND STRONG WINDS THIS EVENING INTO WEDNESDAY... .
Our messy early-Spring weather system is ongoing across portions of the area this afternoon, with increasing winds as we transition to snow resulting in significant visibility reductions and hazardous travel. Rain will quickly change to snow from west central Minnesota to south central Minnesota this evening into tonight. Winds intensify from the north and become strong with gusts between 45 to 55 mph. The combination of these winds with falling snow will cause significant visibility reductions with a period of blizzard conditions expected. Blowing and drifting snow with whiteout conditions, particularly in open areas, will make travel dangerous at times tonight into a part of Wednesday morning. Even as the falling snow ends, blowing snow and visibility restrictions may persist. Conditions are expected to gradually improve later Wednesday as the snow ends and winds slowly decrease.
Including the cities of Mankato, Albert Lea, Waseca, Le Sueur, Fairmont, Blue Earth, Red Wing, Faribault, St James, and Owatonna
145 PM CST Tue Mar 4 2025
...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT FROM 9 PM THIS EVENING TO 3 PM CST WEDNESDAY...
* WHAT...Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 11 inches. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
* WHERE...Blue Earth, Faribault, Freeborn, Le Sueur, Martin, Rice, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Goodhue Counties.
* WHEN...From 9 PM this evening to 3 PM CST Wednesday. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Travel could be very difficult. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning commute. Strong winds could cause extensive damage to trees and power lines.
Stay safe out there Minnesota.
Weather information links
Here’s how to keep tabs on forecasts, travel conditions and flight updates.
Forecast updates
MPR News: Current weather conditions and radar
National Weather Service: Snowfall reports
Travel conditions
These state transportation departments offer live updates on road conditions and crashes:
For bus and light rail riders in the Twin Cities, Metro Transit offers weather-related updates on its Metro Transit and Metro Transit Alerts X accounts, as well as on its website.
Flight updates
If you’re planning to fly out of Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport or another airport around the region — or if you are expecting visitors to arrive by plane — airports offer flight status updates online:
