High winds knock out power for 20K+ Xcel customers; MSP hits 61 mph as winter storm watch follows
High winds — peaking at 61 mph at MSP and as high as 74 mph near Bird Island — toppled trees and caused roughly 306 outages affecting just over 20,500 Xcel Energy customers across Minnesota Friday morning. High Wind Warnings remained in effect (metro through 10 a.m., some western areas until 7 a.m.), and a winter storm watch is now posted from late Saturday into Monday for central and southern Minnesota, with a wintry mix overnight and the potential for heavy snow and hazardous travel.
📌 Key Facts
- A High Wind Warning was in effect through Friday morning — the Twin Cities/metro through 10 a.m. Friday, with some areas south of I‑94 and parts of western Minnesota listed until about 7 a.m.
- Forecasters had warned of 40–60 mph wind gusts from midnight through mid‑morning Friday; observed gusts met or exceeded that, with the Twin Cities/MSP reporting a 61 mph peak and many areas recording gusts in the 55–70 mph range.
- The statewide peak gust reported was 74 mph near Bird Island (about 70 miles west of Shakopee); other observed peak gusts included 53 mph at St. Cloud and 46 mph at Cambridge.
- Strong winds caused widespread impacts: as of 6 a.m. Friday there were 306 separate outages affecting just over 20,500 Xcel Energy customers statewide, with reports of downed trees (including Wright County) and outages across the Twin Cities metro that affected facilities such as FOX 9’s Eden Prairie location.
- The High Wind Warning was part of a broader system that brought a wintry mix to the Twin Cities overnight into Friday morning; the North Shore could see 4–8 inches of snow with 2–4 inches possible just south of that zone.
- Winds were expected to steadily improve Friday but remain breezy, with highs near 38°F and clouds breaking for some afternoon sun ahead of the weekend system.
- A winter storm watch was issued from late Saturday into Monday morning for central and southern Minnesota (including the metro), with the potential for heavy snow, difficult travel and a sharp turn to colder temperatures early next week.
📊 Relevant Data
Minnesota is experiencing more frequent and intense storms than at any time on record, a trend projected to continue due to climate change, leading to increased risks of power outages and infrastructure damage.
Climate change impacts — Minnesota Pollution Control Agency
Winters in Minnesota have warmed more than five degrees Fahrenheit on average since 1970, with the last two years being some of the warmest on record, contributing to altered precipitation patterns and reduced snow cover.
Climate normals downplay just how fast Minnesota is warming — MPR News
Snowy, slushy, or icy road conditions in the United States result in over 1,300 fatalities and more than 116,000 injuries annually from vehicle crashes.
Winter Weather Car Accident Statistics & How to Stay Safe — Nelson Personal Injury
Snowy weather patterns, including accumulation of snow, slush, or ice on pavements, cause 24% of annual traffic crashes.
Investigation of winter weather crash injury severity using winter storm data — ScienceDirect
📰 Source Timeline (5)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms a peak wind gust of 61 mph at MSP Airport during the March 12–13, 2026 event.
- Reports a statewide peak gust of 74 mph near Bird Island, about 70 miles west of Shakopee.
- Provides a detailed list of peak gusts at multiple Minnesota locations, including 53 mph at St. Cloud and 46 mph at Cambridge, offering more granular context for the metro and near‑metro area.
- Clarifies that the High Wind Warning ran from midnight Thursday into Friday morning and that gusts in many areas were in the 55–70 mph range.
- Notes that winds will steadily improve Friday but remain breezy, with Twin Cities highs near 38°F and clouds breaking for afternoon sun ahead of the incoming weekend winter storm.
- Confirms metro gusts reached around 60 mph, with parts of western Minnesota nearing 70 mph, and that thousands of Xcel customers lost power early Friday.
- Details that the high wind warning runs through 10 a.m. Friday for the metro, with conditions gradually improving and highs near 38°F by afternoon.
- Adds that a winter storm watch is now in effect from late Saturday into Monday morning for central and southern Minnesota, including the metro, with heavy snow and difficult travel possible and a sharp turn to colder temperatures early next week.
- Confirms gusts reached at least 58 mph in the Twin Cities Friday morning, with some western Minnesota locations nearing 70 mph.
- Reports that as of 6 a.m. there were 306 separate outages affecting just over 20,500 Xcel Energy customers statewide.
- Notes specific damage reports, including downed trees in Wright County and outages affecting parts of the Twin Cities metro and even FOX 9’s Eden Prairie facility.
- Clarifies that the high wind warning remains in effect for the metro until 10 a.m. Friday, and until 7 a.m. for some western regions.
- Confirms a High Wind Warning is in effect for areas south of I-94, including the Twin Cities, until 7 a.m. Friday.
- Specifies expected wind gusts of 40–60 mph from midnight through mid‑morning Friday in the metro.
- Clarifies that the Twin Cities will see a wintry mix overnight into Friday morning, while areas along the North Shore could see 4–8 inches of snow and areas slightly south see 2–4 inches.