Winter storm warning, icy mix to snarl Twin Cities Thursday commute
A winter storm warning for the Twin Cities metro and Arrowhead through noon Thursday accompanies a mixed‑precipitation event that starts as light rain with some snow/sleet Wednesday evening (about 6 p.m.–midnight) and transitions to sleet and freezing rain overnight into Thursday morning (midnight–6 a.m.) with low‑30s temperatures and gusty easterly winds, making the Thursday morning commute most hazardous. Conditions are expected to gradually improve after lunch as precipitation shifts mainly to rain and temperatures rise into the mid‑30s, though a second system may bring additional rain and possible snow Friday into Saturday before colder, quieter weather returns Sunday.
📌 Key Facts
- Twin Cities timeline: light rain with some snow and sleet is expected between 6 p.m. and midnight Wednesday, followed by sleet and freezing rain from midnight to 6 a.m. Thursday.
- Temperatures during the overnight event will be in the low 30s with gusty easterly winds, supporting mixed precipitation and freezing conditions.
- Road conditions are expected to be most difficult overnight into Thursday morning, likely snarling the Thursday commute; conditions should gradually improve after lunch as precipitation shifts mainly to rain and temperatures rise into the mid‑30s.
- A winter weather advisory goes into effect for much of Minnesota starting at midnight, while a winter storm warning is in effect near the Twin Cities metro and along the Arrowhead through noon Thursday due to the potential for heavier mixed precipitation.
- A second system will follow quickly, bringing additional rain and possible snow from Friday into Saturday.
- Colder but quieter weather is expected after the weekend system, with sun returning Sunday.
📊 Relevant Data
From 1980 to 2024, Minnesota experienced 62 confirmed weather and climate disaster events with losses exceeding $1 billion each, including winter storms among other types.
Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | Minnesota Summary — NOAA
Future changes in Midwest extreme precipitation depend on storm type, with increases near Clausius-Clapeyron scaling for winter storms, indicating higher intensity due to warmer temperatures allowing more atmospheric moisture.
Future Changes in Midwest Extreme Precipitation Depend on Storm Type — AGU Advances
A major winter storm in January 2026 was estimated to cause up to $115 billion in total economic damage across the United States, including property damage, job losses, and supply chain interruptions.
Accuweather: Winter Storm to Cause Up to $115B in Damage — Insurance Journal
Heavy snowfalls in April are fairly common in Minnesota, with a notable storm on April 1-3, 2025, dropping up to 16.5 inches in some areas, reflecting ongoing patterns of late-season winter events.
April Fools' Heavy Snow and Rain, April 1-3, 2025 — Minnesota DNR
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Specifies a detailed Twin Cities timeline: light rain with some snow/sleet between 6 p.m. and midnight Wednesday, then sleet and freezing rain from midnight to 6 a.m. Thursday with temps in the low 30s and gusty easterly winds.
- Clarifies that road conditions are expected to be most difficult overnight into Thursday morning, with gradual improvement after lunch as precipitation shifts mainly to rain and temps stay in the mid‑30s.
- Notes that a winter weather advisory is in effect for much of Minnesota starting at midnight, and that a winter storm warning is in effect near the Twin Cities metro and along the Arrowhead through noon Thursday due to heavier mixed precipitation potential.
- Adds that a second system will follow quickly, bringing additional rain and possible snow from Friday into Saturday, with colder but quieter weather and sun returning Sunday.