Winter storm closes and delays Minnesota schools Thursday
FOX 9 reports that a winter storm that dropped several inches of snow across the Twin Cities metro and heavier totals in northern Minnesota has prompted numerous school districts to close or delay classes on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026. The station is publishing and updating a consolidated list of Minnesota and western Wisconsin schools that are closed or starting late, covering systems from the metro out through greater Minnesota. The National Weather Service has warned of a messy Thursday morning commute, and districts are pre‑emptively adjusting schedules to keep buses and student drivers off the slickest roads. Families are being told to check the online closings list frequently or use their districts’ direct alerts, as additional changes may be added early Thursday. The widespread closures underscore how quickly the latest storm has disrupted daily routines and will force many Twin Cities parents to juggle childcare and work during the cleanup.
📌 Key Facts
- A winter storm this week dumped several inches of snow across the Twin Cities and more across northern Minnesota.
- As of Wednesday night, multiple school districts in Minnesota and western Wisconsin had announced closures or delayed starts for Thursday, Feb. 19, 2026.
- FOX 9 is hosting a continuously updated, station-verified list of K–12 school closings and delays for families to check before the morning commute.
📊 Relevant Data
The winter storm on February 18-19, 2026, produced 2.4 inches of snowfall at Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport by 6 p.m. on Wednesday, with additional accumulations expected.
Minnesota snowstorm mires traffic in Twin Cities and brings power ... — Star Tribune
In northern Minnesota's North Shore, the storm dumped over 2 feet of snow, with 26 inches reported at Hovland and up to 3 feet in some areas.
Blizzard drops more than 2 feet of snow on North Shore — MPR News
The average total snowfall for February in Minneapolis is 9.5 inches.
Average Snowfall for Minnesota in February — Current Results
The average total snowfall for February in Duluth, representing northern Minnesota, ranges from 8.7 inches in light years to over 20.1 inches in heavy years.
Duluth MN Snowfall Totals & Snow Accumulation Averages — Current Results
The storm was driven by a deep low-pressure system tracking from north of Omaha, Nebraska, to around Duluth, Minnesota, with heavy snowfall enhanced by lake-effect influences along the North Shore of Lake Superior due to strong winds over the lake.
Winter storm, blizzard warnings up in northern Minnesota — MPR News
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time