Minnesota Braces for Major Snowstorm

Minnesota is preparing for a significant snowstorm this weekend, March 15-17, following high winds on Friday that caused power outages across the state. The National Weather Service (NWS) forecasts snow accumulations exceeding 12-18 inches across a broad area, with a 40% to 70% chance of a foot or more of snow in the Twin Cities and over 70% in southeastern Minnesota.

On Friday, sustained winds of 30 to 40 mph, with gusts up to 70 mph in some areas like Canby and Eden Prairie, led to blizzard conditions along the North Shore and disrupted power for over 14,000 Xcel Energy customers. By 10 a.m. Friday, approximately 9,000 customers remained without electricity, primarily in Hennepin County and the south metro.

A Winter Storm Warning is active from Saturday night through Monday morning for areas south of a line from Alexandria to Cambridge, where 10 to 16 inches of snow are likely, with a narrow band potentially receiving 15 to 20 inches. The NWS warns that travel may become impossible late Saturday night and Sunday due to heavy, wet snow, posing risks for infrastructure damage and shoveling-related health hazards.