Freezing rain and sleet ice Twin Cities Thursday, second storm follows Friday–Saturday
A wintry mix moves into the Twin Cities Wednesday evening (light rain with some snow/sleet around 6 p.m.) and becomes sleet and significant freezing rain overnight into Thursday morning — with the worst ice during the Thursday morning commute (midnight–6 a.m., worst near 6 a.m.) as temps hover near freezing and gusty easterly/northeast winds 10–25 mph; a winter weather advisory covers much of Minnesota and a winter storm warning is in effect for parts of the metro and Arrowhead. Freezing rain — the main hazard that could cripple transportation and bring down tree branches and power lines (Xcel Energy is staging crews) — should taper to mainly rain and gradually improve after Thursday lunch, but a second system brings additional rain and possible snow Friday into Saturday before colder, quieter weather returns Sunday.
📌 Key Facts
- Wintry mix moves into the Twin Cities around 6 p.m. Wednesday (light rain with some snow/sleet through midnight), then sleet and freezing rain overnight into Thursday with the worst freezing rain expected by about 6 a.m. Thursday.
- The event is described as 'all about ice' — freezing rain is the main hazard and could 'cripple transportation' Thursday morning; road conditions are expected to be most difficult overnight into Thursday morning, with many metro roads wet but icy spots on untreated and residential surfaces.
- Multiple schools across the state are closed, delayed, or on e‑learning because of the storm.
- NWS has issued a winter weather advisory for much of Minnesota starting at midnight, with a winter storm warning in effect for parts of the Twin Cities metro and the Arrowhead through noon Thursday.
- Forecast high for the Twin Cities Thursday near 36°F (temperatures barely climbing above freezing) with northeast/easterly winds gusting roughly 10–25 mph; conditions should gradually improve after lunch as precipitation shifts mainly to rain and temperatures hold in the mid‑30s.
- Xcel Energy is staging crews in advance and warns that ice accumulation could bring down tree branches and power lines across central and southern Minnesota; the utility will prioritize the largest outages first.
- Precipitation is expected to taper Thursday evening with temperatures dropping into the 20s, then a second system will bring additional rain (and possible snow in northern Minnesota) Friday into Saturday before colder, quieter weather and sun returns Sunday.
📊 Relevant Data
From 1980 to 2024, Minnesota has been affected by 3 winter storm events that each caused over $1 billion in damages, as part of 62 total billion-dollar weather and climate disasters in the state.
Billion-Dollar Weather and Climate Disasters | Minnesota Summary — NOAA NCEI
There has been a northward shift in freezing rain incidence across the Great Lakes region on an annual basis, with more frequent occurrences in January and fewer in November and March, consistent with warmer temperatures and northward-moving extratropical cyclone tracks.
Minnesota's winter temperatures have risen more than any other state over the past 40 years, contributing to increased ice build-up and freezing precipitation as well as more large storms.
Climate Change Trend Analysis — Minnesota GO
📰 Source Timeline (4)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Forecast pegs Twin Cities high near 36°F Thursday with temperatures barely climbing above freezing and northeast winds gusting 10–25 mph.
- NWS winter weather advisory covers much of Minnesota, with a winter storm warning in effect for parts of the Twin Cities metro and Arrowhead through noon Thursday.
- Metro roads are reported mostly wet but with icy spots on untreated and residential surfaces; multiple schools around the state are closed, delayed or on e‑learning because of the storm.
- Rain and mixed precip are expected to taper Thursday evening, with temps dropping into the 20s, followed by another round of rain Friday into Saturday (rain for most, snow possible in northern Minnesota).
- Forecast frames the event explicitly as 'all about ice,' with freezing rain the main hazard and potential to 'cripple transportation' Thursday morning.
- More precise timing: wintry mix (snow/sleet/rain) reaches the Twin Cities around 6 p.m. Wednesday, with conditions turning significantly icier overnight and the worst freezing rain by around 6 a.m. Thursday.
- Xcel Energy says it is staging crews in advance for possible ice-related outages, warning that ice accumulation could bring down tree branches and power lines across central and southern Minnesota and that largest outages will be prioritized first.
- 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.