Minnesota — Thick flakes swirl through the Twin Cities this morning, coating rooftops and highways in white as strong northwest winds sweep across the region. The air feels sharp and relentless — the kind of wind that cuts through layers and drifts snow across already slick roads.
The National Weather Service in the Twin Cities has a Winter Storm Warning in effect through 9 a.m. Wednesday, with snowfall rates topping one inch per hour and gusts up to 50 mph. Total accumulations of 4 to 7 inches are expected across central and southern Minnesota, creating near-blizzard conditions at times.
Drivers heading out early for Thanksgiving travel should brace for low visibility, snow-packed roads, and blowing snow, particularly along I-35, I-94, and Highway 169. Travel could be extremely difficult through midday, with scattered tree branches and icy windshields adding to the hazards. Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel until winds ease and plows catch up later today.
By Thanksgiving Day, calmer skies return with sunshine and highs near 26°F — cold but manageable. That brief break in the weather will help clear major routes before the next round of snow showers expected late Friday into Saturday, bringing another 1 to 3 inches of accumulation potential.
Looking ahead, forecasters are tracking a major Arctic front expected to dive southward between December 1–5, ushering in below-normal temperatures and the possibility of heavy snow across the Upper Midwest. It’s an early reminder that winter’s grip is tightening fast — and that post-holiday travelers may face another round of disruptions heading home.
Five-Day Outlook (Wed–Sun)
• Today: Heavy snow, blustery, 29°F.
• Thursday: Sunny, cold, 26°F.
• Friday: Snow chance late, 25°F.
• Saturday: Snow likely, 26°F.
• Sunday: Partly sunny, 18°F.
