Latest Video Briefing Concerning Blizzard Conditions

Blizzard Warnings are now in effect across south central Minnesota for late Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.  Winter Storm Warnings are in effect across west central Minnesota.

A potent system will drop southeast from Canada Sunday, bringing periods of light snow and an inch or two of accumulation during the day.  Behind it, very strong northwest winds gusting in excess of 40 to 55 mph are possible late Sunday into early Monday.

Given the deep snow cover from the winter storm earlier in the week across southern Minnesota and an inch of fresh accumulation, the wind will result in considerable blowing snow and whiteout conditions in those areas.  Numerous road closures are possible.

Conditions are a bit more uncertain across western Minnesota where the snow pack is less condusive for blowing around.  Because of this, Winter Storm Warnings are in place.  If conditions become worse than currently expected, Blizzard Warnings may be issued there as well. 

Where wind is not expected to be as strong, but blowing snow is still possible, a Winter Weather Advisory has been issued. That includes the Twin Cities.

Travel could become difficult or impossible in the Blizzard Warning areas by Sunday night.

656
WWUS43 KMPX 161041
WSWMPX

URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE
National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
441 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY FOR STRONG WINDS AND BLOWING SNOW TODAY...

.Today, gusty winds will combine with bursts of snow to cause low
visibility and difficult travel at times across western and southern
Minnesota. Although snowfall amounts will only be around an inch or
less, expect reduced visibility to less than a half mile at times.

A Winter Weather Advisory remains in effect through 6pm. The worst
conditions will be in open areas from late this morning through the
mid afternoon.

MNZ041-042-047>049-054>058-064>067-073>075-082>084-091>093-162245-
/O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0003.000000T0000Z-260117T0000Z/
Douglas-Todd-Stevens-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-
Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Redwood-
Brown-Nicollet-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Martin-Faribault-
Freeborn-
Including the cities of New Ulm, Waseca, Fairmont, Montevideo,
Gaylord, Alexandria, Benson, Granite Falls, Madison, Mankato, Blue
Earth, St James, Willmar, Albert Lea, Glenwood, Litchfield, St Cloud,
Hutchinson, Long Prairie, Redwood Falls, Morris, St Peter, and Olivia
441 AM CST Fri Jan 16 2026

...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 6 PM CST THIS
EVENING...

* WHAT...Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds
gusting as high as 40 to 45 mph.

* WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest, and west
central Minnesota.

* WHEN...Until 6 PM CST this evening.

* IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous
conditions will impact the Friday morning and evening commutes.
Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...

Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 5 1 1 or visit
511mn.org for road conditions.

&&

$$

JRB