Light snow and fog are brushing the Twin Cities early Wednesday, holding Minneapolis near 28°F and slicking up untreated surfaces. The band is expected to ease to flurries by mid-morning, then break for some afternoon sun with a high near 42°F. Only minor additional accumulation is on tap, around an inch at most where the snow hangs on, but drivers should still plan for slower stretches on bridges and neighborhood streets.
Morning Commute
Winter Weather Advisories remain in place for parts of the metro through mid-morning, and plow and transit crews are urging drivers to build in extra time and watch for slushy, icy spots. According to the National Weather Service, snow is most likely before 10 a.m., with new metro totals generally under an inch. If you do have to be on the road, give plows plenty of space and keep an eye on shaded side streets and overpasses where ice can linger.
Thursday Into Friday: Wind and Rain
A stronger Pacific system sweeps in late Thursday, starting as rain that may flip back to snow Thursday night as temperatures dip. Forecasters expect south winds gusting into the 40 to 50 mph range across much of Minnesota, with gusts over 50 mph possible in western parts of the state, which is enough to make life interesting for high-profile vehicles and anyone on exposed roads. For late-week travel, check real-time road conditions on MnDOT before heading out.
Weekend Snow Risk
Forecast models still lean toward a potent late-Saturday into Sunday storm that could drop several inches across the region. The National Weather Service is flagging 4 to 9 inches possible in parts of southern Minnesota, depending on the storm track. Confidence is still limited on exactly where the heaviest band sets up, so those numbers are likely to be fine-tuned as the week goes on. If you have weekend plans, be ready to adjust as conditions change quickly.
What To Do
For any travel Wednesday morning or late Thursday into Friday, slow your speed, leave extra following distance, and keep a phone charger and warm layers in your vehicle. Transit riders should expect slower bus trips and keep an eye on agency alerts, while drivers can use 511mn.org to watch live cameras and track plow locations. It may be worth holding off on scheduling outdoor events for Saturday or Sunday until the forecast comes into sharper focus.
We first flagged a messy stretch of weather on March 9; you can compare that update on one mild Monday before March turns messy. We will update this space if watches or warnings are issued or if the weekend track shifts significantly.
