Travel is expected to become “nearly impossible” as heavy snow and damaging ice sweep across a multi‑state storm zone this weekend, according to official forecasts.
National Weather Service (NWS) warnings span five states as a sprawling late‑season winter storm delivers up to 12 inches of snow in parts of the Upper Midwest alongside widespread ice accretion and strong winds farther east.
They stretch across Minnesota, Michigan, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and South Dakota, where forecasters are cautioning residents about dangerous travel, power outages, and prolonged disruptions from snow, ice, and strong winds.
Minnesota
Minnesota faces the most severe snow impacts, with multiple NWS offices warning of heavy, prolonged snowfall through Saturday night and into early Sunday.
Warnings issued Friday evening and early Saturday morning by the NWS offices in Grand Forks, Duluth, and Twin Cities/Chanhassen show the greatest accumulations focused on central, northern, and western parts of the state.
In northwest and west‑central Minnesota, snowfall totals are forecast to reach 7 to 12 inches, with some areas expecting total accumulations between 4 and 12 inches by early Sunday morning.
Additional warnings describe 6 to 9 inches across northern counties, including Koochiching, Itasca, and St. Louis, while central regions such as Morrison, Todd, and Douglas counties are forecast to see 4 to 6 inches by Saturday evening.
Travel conditions are expected to deteriorate rapidly. Forecasters warned visibility could drop below a quarter mile at times, with roads becoming snow‑covered and slick.
One warning said travel “could be very difficult to impossible,” particularly during heavier snowfall bands.
Several winter storm warnings remain in effect until 1 a.m. CDT Sunday, with others expiring Saturday evening, depending on location.
Northern Michigan And Wisconsin
While Minnesota sees the deepest snow, ice storms are driving the highest risk across northern Michigan and northern Wisconsin, where freezing rain and sleet are expected to coat trees, power lines, and roadways.
Across Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, ice storm warnings issued by the NWS offices in Gaylord and Marquette highlight ice accumulations ranging from one‑tenth to four‑tenths of an inch, with the greatest amounts forecast inland and over higher terrain.
Counties including Gogebic, Iron, Dickinson, Chippewa, Mackinac, and Marquette remain under warnings through late morning or afternoon Saturday, depending on location. East winds gusting up to 35 mph are expected to worsen impacts.
Warnings repeatedly cite the same risks: “Power outages and tree damage are likely due to the ice. Travel could be nearly impossible due to icy roads.”
Northern Wisconsin faces similar conditions.
Ice accumulations of one‑tenth to three‑tenths of an inch are forecast across Vilas, Oneida, Forest, Florence, Langlade, and Marinette counties, with warnings expiring between 7 a.m. and 10 a.m. CDT Saturday.
Gusty winds up to 30 mph are expected to add stress to ice‑coated trees and power infrastructure.
Travel is “strongly discouraged” in several advisories.
Eastern Minnesota And Northern Wisconsin
Farther south and east, warnings from the Duluth office describe a mix of snow, sleet, and freezing rain across parts of eastern Minnesota and northern Wisconsin.
Ice accumulations up to one‑quarter inch are forecast in Wisconsin counties including Bayfield, Ashland, Iron, Burnett, Sawyer, and Washburn, alongside up to two inches of snow and sleet.
Conditions are expected to improve later Saturday morning as warnings expire around 10 a.m. CDT.
In Douglas County, Wisconsin, an ice storm warning was cancelled but replaced with a winter storm warning, with 2 to 4 inches of snow and a light glaze of ice expected through 1 a.m. CDT Sunday.
North Dakota
Winter storm warnings remain in effect across much of central, south‑central, and southeastern North Dakota, with snow totals generally lower than in Minnesota but still disruptive.
Forecasts call for 1 to 2 inches in parts of southwest and south‑central North Dakota, while areas including the James River Valley could see 2 to 6 inches before warnings expire Saturday afternoon.
Winds gusting up to 35 mph are expected to reduce visibility and create difficult travel conditions. Multiple warnings caution that travel will be “very difficult.”
South Dakota
In north‑central and northeastern South Dakota, winter storm warnings issued Friday evening remain in effect into Saturday.
Snow accumulations range from 1 to 5 inches in north‑central areas, with 3 to 9 inches possible closer to the Minnesota border.
Gusty winds up to 35 mph may cause periods of blowing snow and briefly reduced visibility.
Warnings expire between early morning and early afternoon Saturday, depending on location.
What People Should Do
Across all five states, forecasters consistently warn of hazardous travel, downed trees, and possible power outages as snow, ice, and wind combine.
Officials urge residents to avoid unnecessary travel, prepare for outages, and keep emergency supplies on hand until conditions improve later this weekend.
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