Clouds, a chilly 37°F, and a stiffening north wind are setting the tone in Minneapolis this Tuesday morning, March 31, 2026. Temperatures should still climb to around 52°F, but by afternoon, the gusts will make it feel a lot less friendly than the thermometer suggests, especially for the commute. A more substantial system rolls in on Wednesday, bringing a wintry mix that could leave slushy roads lingering into Thursday morning.
Afternoon Winds Pick Up
North winds are expected to run 10 to 15 mph this afternoon, with gusts topping out near 30 mph, strongest across western neighborhoods and around the airport. KMSP is likely to see gusts in the mid-20s through the afternoon, enough to make walking or cycling a bit of a slog and to send any unsecured lawn furniture on a short trip. We first flagged this pattern in our earlier wild weather whiplash update on March 12.
Wintry Wednesday Night Into Thursday
Precipitation is expected to develop across western Minnesota on Wednesday afternoon, April 1, then spread east through the evening as temperatures trend colder overnight. The National Weather Service currently highlights a swath of accumulating snow, about 3 to 6 inches, from west-central Minnesota into northwest Wisconsin, with lighter slushy totals of 1 to 3 inches possible around the Twin Cities and sleet or freezing rain more likely farther south. Heaviest impacts are most likely Thursday night into early Friday morning, so keep an eye on updated forecasts and any travel plans. National Weather Service.
What To Do
If you have errands late Wednesday into Thursday, budget extra time and give plows and transit vehicles plenty of space if you must drive. Check road conditions and closures via MnDOT 511 and monitor Metro Transit rider alerts if you rely on buses or light rail. Secure any loose outdoor items ahead of the wind and consider bumping weather-sensitive outdoor plans to later in the week.
