Hutchinson, Minnesota – Roads across central Minnesota could become impassable within hours Sunday morning as more than a foot of snow combines with strong winds to create blizzard conditions across the region.
According to the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities, a Winter Storm Warning begins at 4 p.m. Saturday and continues until 10 a.m. Sunday for Meeker and McLeod counties, including Hutchinson and Litchfield. Snowfall totals between 11 and 15 inches are expected before the storm transitions into a full Blizzard Warning from 10 a.m. Sunday until 4 a.m. Monday.
Snow will intensify overnight Saturday with snowfall rates reaching 2 to 2.5 inches per hour, quickly covering roads such as U.S. Highway 212, Minnesota Highway 7, and Minnesota Highway 15.
By late Sunday morning, northwest winds will strengthen with gusts up to 45 mph, blowing fresh snow across open farmland and producing widespread whiteout conditions across central Minnesota.
Across southern Minnesota, some communities may briefly see freezing rain and sleet overnight before colder air changes precipitation back to all snow Sunday morning.
Officials warn that travel could become very difficult or impossible from late Saturday night through Sunday evening, and road closures are possible if visibility drops to near zero.
Residents are urged to delay travel, prepare emergency kits, and monitor road conditions on 511mn.org. Blizzard conditions could persist into the early hours of Monday, with cleanup and power disruptions possible after the storm passes.
