Winter Storm Alerts Persist Across Minnesota as Travel Risks Continue Despite Modest Warm-Up

Twin Cities, Minn.
After more than a week of punishing cold that pressed daily life to its margins, Minnesota entered Sunday with a sense of cautious relief. Temperatures across the Twin Cities finally climbed out of the sub-zero depths that defined the past ten days. But the reprieve has been incomplete.

Winter weather alerts remain firmly in place across the Twin Cities and much of the state, as a fast-moving storm system brings fresh snow, high winds, and renewed travel hazards. Officials warn that while the worst of the cold has eased, the combination of snow and rising temperatures is creating some of the most dangerous road conditions of the season.

A Changing Storm, Not a Clearing One

The National Weather Service continues to monitor a compact Alberta Clipper sweeping through the Upper Midwest. For the Twin Cities metro, the system prompted a Winter Weather Advisory, calling for one to three inches of snow accompanied by wind gusts approaching 40 miles per hour. The result has been blowing snow, reduced visibility, and slick road surfaces, particularly during overnight and early morning hours.

While the advisory stops short of a full winter storm warning, its impacts are being felt across the region. Transportation officials urged drivers to slow down, extend braking distances, and avoid unnecessary travel where possible.

Conditions grow more severe beyond the metro. Large portions of southern and western Minnesota remain under Blizzard Warnings, where near-whiteout conditions are expected to persist through Sunday night. In those areas, sustained winds and heavier snowfall have rendered some rural roads impassable and significantly delayed emergency response times.

From Deep Freeze to Dangerous Thaw

Sunday’s forecasted highs in the mid to upper 20s marked a notable shift after ten consecutive nights of sub-zero lows. Yet meteorologists caution that the warming trend has introduced new hazards rather than eliminating old ones.

As frozen road surfaces transition from deep-freeze ice to fresh snow and slush, traction becomes unpredictable. Even well-treated highways can conceal black ice beneath newly fallen snow, a factor that has contributed to spin-outs and stalled vehicles along major corridors, including Interstate 94.

“The temperature change is welcome, but it’s deceptive,” one state transportation official noted. “This is when drivers tend to underestimate conditions.”

Strain on Schools, Services, and Commerce

The cumulative toll of the prolonged cold snap continues to reverberate across Minnesota. Earlier in the week, hundreds of schools either closed or shifted to remote learning as wind chills plunged to dangerous levels. Emergency medical services reported a surge in cold-related calls, while vehicle failures and frozen infrastructure stretched response capacity across several counties.

Local businesses, particularly those reliant on foot traffic, have seen uneven impacts. While some welcomed the warmer air as an opportunity for customers to reemerge, others remain cautious as travel disruptions and lingering storm warnings keep many residents at home.

Looking Ahead

Forecasters say unsettled conditions are likely to persist into the early part of the week, with additional chances for snow and continued fluctuations in temperature. Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, monitor local advisories, and prepare for rapidly changing conditions.

Winter’s grip may be loosening, but it has not let go.

For now, Minnesota remains in a familiar posture for this time of year: watchful, resilient, and waiting for clearer skies.

MinneapoliMedia