MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – NOAA’s latest Winter 2025–2026 outlook, issued Thursday, Oct. 16, paints a cold and relentless picture for Minnesota, with frequent snow events and dangerous Arctic outbreaks expected through February and possibly into March. The Climate Prediction Center highlights above-normal precipitation and below-normal temperatures across the Upper Midwest — a combination that often defines the region’s most severe winters.
According to the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities, “The current La Niña pattern is a classic setup for Minnesota snow. Expect multiple systems and sustained subfreezing temperatures well into late winter.” Northern and western counties, including Duluth, Bemidji, and Alexandria, could see deep snowpack by February, while southern zones near Rochester and Mankato face a mix of heavy snow and icy rain during brief thaws.
Forecasters expect the coldest stretch to arrive in late January, with wind chills dropping to -25°F or lower across much of the state. Widespread snow may blanket interstates I-35, I-94, and U.S. 10 several times this season, slowing travel and creating dangerous whiteout conditions during clippers and blizzards.
NOAA cautions that March may bring a slow transition, with late-season snow possible before spring fully emerges. Residents are urged to check furnaces, stock emergency kits, and prepare vehicles for extended cold. Utility crews statewide are reviewing outage response plans ahead of the harshest phase of winter.
For Minnesota, Winter 2026 is shaping up as long, frigid, and snow-loaded — a return to the kind of old-school winters that test endurance from the Iron Range to the Twin Cities suburbs.
