Brace yourselves, Minnesota! A major winter storm has unleashed its fury, promising to make travel treacherous and disrupt daily life. This isn't just a dusting; we're talking significant snowfall, bone-chilling winds, and a whole lot of winter weather woes. Let's dive into the live updates to keep you informed and safe.
This breaking news comes to us from Adam Del Rosso, a meteorologist with a lifelong passion for weather, who's been tracking this storm since its inception. He's been keeping a close eye on the storm since earning his meteorology degree from Penn State.
Updated on December 28, 2025, at 1:56 PM CST by CBS Minnesota.
WCCO has issued a NEXT Weather Alert due to the severity of the storm's impact. Blizzard warnings are in effect for central Minnesota until 6 a.m. Monday, while winter storm warnings blanket eastern Minnesota and into Wisconsin from 12 p.m. Sunday until 9 a.m. Monday.
Prepare for wind gusts that could reach up to 40 mph by the afternoon. This, coupled with increasing snow intensity, could create near-blizzard conditions. The heaviest snow is expected along and east of Interstate 35, making travel particularly difficult in these areas.
So, how much snow are we talking about? A large portion of Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, could see up to 8 inches by Monday morning. Areas to the southwest and northern Minnesota are expected to receive less snow. Temperatures are also taking a nosedive, plummeting from the 30s in the morning to the 10s by evening.
Here's a breakdown of the current situation:
- Interstate 35 Closures: A stretch of Interstate 35 in southern Minnesota is closed due to multiple crashes. The closure extends from Highway 14 (south of Owatonna) to Clarks Grove, with at least five crashes reported between those locations. The interstate is also expected to close from Albert Lea into northern Iowa at 4 p.m., a coordinated effort between Iowa DOT and MnDOT. While the interstate is expected to open on Monday, no specific time has been given. For the latest road conditions, check 511mn.org.
- Metro Transit Status: Metro Transit reports that services are running relatively smoothly, with about a third of buses delayed by approximately 7 minutes as of 1 p.m. Light rail service is largely unaffected. Stay updated on service changes via Metro Transit's social media accounts.
- Trollhaugen Ski Area Closed: Trollhaugen, a ski area in Dresser, Wisconsin, has closed for the day due to a power outage that occurred at 11:30 a.m. Power is expected to be restored by 4:45 a.m. Monday.
- Travel Not Advised: Minnesota transportation officials advise against travel in most of southwestern Minnesota due to low visibility. For updates on travel conditions, visit 511mn.org.
- Snow Emergencies Declared: Multiple cities have declared snow emergencies, including Eden Prairie, Hopkins, St. James, St. Louis Park, New Hope, Northfield, and West St. Paul.
- Crash Numbers Update: The Minnesota State Patrol reported 179 property damage crashes, 163 vehicles off the road, 12 injury crashes, 5 spinouts, and 7 jackknifed semis between midnight and 1:30 p.m. They urge residents to delay or cancel travel plans until the storm passes.
- Power Outages: Power outages are impacting the metro area, with nearly 2,500 people without power in the Twin Cities area, according to Xcel Energy's outage map.
- Airport Delays and Cancellations: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport is experiencing significant disruptions, with 197 delays and 60 cancellations as of 11:30 a.m.
- Potential Snowfall Totals: The Twin Cities could see up to 8 inches of snow by Monday morning. Western Wisconsin might get even more, possibly up to 12 inches. Areas north, south, and southwest of the Twin Cities are expected to receive less snow:
- Grand Rapids: Up to 3 inches
- Mankato: Up to 5 inches
- Worthington: Up to 3 inches
For more snowfall updates, follow NEXT Weather Watchers.
But here's where it gets controversial... Could these snowfall predictions be underestimated? Some meteorologists argue that the models might not fully capture the storm's intensity, potentially leading to higher-than-expected snowfall totals.
What are your thoughts? Are you prepared for the storm? Share your experiences and concerns in the comments below!
