Minneapolis, MN – A major winter storm is set to disrupt Thanksgiving travel across the Northern Plains, Upper Midwest, and western Great Lakes beginning Tuesday, bringing heavy snow, strong winds, and dangerous road conditions, according to the National Weather Prediction Center.
According to the NWS, snowfall will begin early Tuesday morning in North Dakota, pushing east into central and northern Minnesota by Tuesday night. Forecasters say the heaviest snow will fall Tuesday night through Wednesday, targeting the Minnesota Arrowhead, northern Wisconsin, and the western Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Widespread snowfall totals of 4 to 8 inches are expected across parts of North Dakota and Minnesota, with localized totals up to 12 inches. The most extreme snow will occur near Lake Superior, where persistent lake-effect bands could produce 1 to 3 feet of snow through Thanksgiving morning.
In addition to heavy snowfall, forecasters warn of gusty winds, with maximum wind gusts projected to reach 40–55 mph across portions of the Dakotas, Minnesota, and northern Wisconsin. These conditions may create areas of whiteout visibility, drifting snow, and dangerously slick roads during peak holiday travel hours.
By Thanksgiving Day, unsettled weather will continue across the Great Lakes, while the Pacific Northwest experiences its own round of gusty winds and rain. Much of the central U.S. will turn colder behind the departing storm system.
Travelers heading across the Northern Plains or Great Lakes Tuesday and Wednesday should prepare for significant delays, possible road closures, and rapidly changing weather conditions. Officials recommend checking updated forecasts and allowing additional travel time as the storm moves east.
