Summary (tl;dr)

Blizzard warnings have been issued for parts of central and southern Minnesota, including areas near Minneapolis, as a powerful winter storm brings heavy snow, strong winds, and extremely hazardous travel conditions.

Essential Background

A robust winter storm, originating as a vigorous Alberta Clipper, is currently traversing the Upper Midwest. This system arrives after a brief period of milder temperatures and follows earlier snowfall in the region this week.

The Full Story

Blizzard warnings are in effect from Sunday morning, December 28, 2025, to Monday morning for a significant corridor of central and southern Minnesota, encompassing areas like Alexandria, St. Cloud, Mankato, Albert Lea, Hutchinson, Long Prairie, and the far southwestern Twin Cities metro (specifically Wright, Carver, and Scott counties). The broader Twin Cities metropolitan area, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, and much of eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin, are under a winter storm warning. The storm is forecast to bring 5 to 10 inches of snow to the Twin Cities, with 5 to 8 inches across eastern Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Crucially, strong northwest winds are expected to gust between 45 to 55 mph, leading to whiteout conditions and significantly reduced visibility, particularly in open areas. Temperatures will drop sharply throughout Sunday, leading to frigid conditions and dangerous wind chills.

Why It Matters

The combination of heavy snowfall and powerful winds is creating extremely dangerous and potentially life-threatening travel conditions, with whiteouts making driving nearly impossible in blizzard-warned areas. Numerous road closures are anticipated, severely impacting holiday weekend travel. The rapid and significant drop in temperatures, coupled with strong winds, will result in perilously cold wind chills, posing risks of frostbite and hypothermia to anyone exposed outdoors. These severe weather conditions are prompting widespread concern for public safety and potential disruptions to daily life and infrastructure.

Geographic Location

• Southwestern Twin Cities Metro (Wright, Carver, and Scott Counties), Minnesota, United States (blizzard conditions)
• Central Minnesota (including Alexandria, St. Cloud, Long Prairie, Hutchinson), United States (blizzard conditions)
• Southern Minnesota (including Mankato, Albert Lea, Brown, Martin, Watonwan, Yellow Medicine Counties), United States (blizzard conditions)
• Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States (heavy snow and high winds)
• St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota, United States (heavy snow and high winds)
• Eastern Minnesota, United States (winter storm conditions)
• Western Wisconsin, United States (winter storm conditions)