Minneapolis, Minnesota – Travel across the Upper Midwest could become nearly impossible by Sunday night as a strengthening March blizzard unleashes heavy snow, powerful winds, and rapidly deteriorating visibility from Minnesota into the Great Lakes.
According to the National Weather Service Weather Prediction Center, a rapidly intensifying winter storm will organize over the Northern Plains Saturday before pushing into the Upper Midwest and Great Lakes by Sunday. Snowfall rates may reach 1 to 3 inches per hour, particularly from southern Minnesota through northern Wisconsin and into northern Michigan.
The heaviest band of snow is expected to stretch from the Twin Cities east toward Marquette and Gaylord, where storm totals could reach 1 to 3 feet before the system weakens late Monday. Roads including I-94, US-2, and sections of I-75 in northern Michigan may become impassable during the peak of the storm.
Strong winds will intensify the impact. Gusts could reach 60 mph, producing widespread blowing and drifting snow. Visibility may fall below a quarter mile, creating full blizzard conditions across exposed roadways in Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Areas farther south, including Chicago and parts of Iowa, may see lighter snow but could still experience blowing snow and hazardous travel conditions as winds increase Sunday night.
Forecasters are also monitoring a corridor south of the heaviest snow where freezing rain and mixed precipitation may develop, particularly across portions of the Midwest and southern Great Lakes.
Residents across the region should avoid unnecessary travel Sunday night, prepare for potential power outages, and monitor updated warnings. The storm is expected to continue producing dangerous conditions across parts of the Great Lakes through Monday evening.
