MN winter storm: Heavy snow later Saturday, Blizzard Warnings declared

Name: MN weather: Snow storm starts in Twin Cities
Uploaded: 2026-03-14T07:34:31-05:00
Description: The snow is starting to accumulate in the Twin Cities.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to parts of Minnesota and Wisconsin later Saturday into Sunday, which could lead to dangerous travel conditions through Monday.

READ MORE:

The snow is expected to be heavy overnight in the Twin Cities until about 10 a.m. where there will be a lull in the snow, but strong winds will pick up. By 4 or 5 p.m., heavy snow will pick back up.

This story will no longer be updated live.

10:17 p.m. - More crash totals

MN weather: Snow storm starts in Twin Cities

The snow is starting to accumulate in the Twin Cities.

The Minnesot State Patrol says from 8-10 p.m., there were 36 property damage crashes, two injury crashes, one spin out and 23 vehicles off the road.

9:10 p.m. - Crash totals so far

The Minnesota State Patrol shared crash numbers so far as the winter storm makes its way across the state.

There were 137 property damage crashes, 21 injury crashes, one fatal crash, and eight vehicles off the road.

State Patrol is asking drivers to stay off the roads until the storm passes.

According to MnDOT's 511 map, most major roadways in the Twin Cities are covered with snow. Some roadways around St. Paul have no travel advisories due to blowing snow and black ice.

7:35 p.m. — St. Paul closes all parks and recreation facilities Sunday

St. Paul Parks and Recreation posted on social media that all parks and recreation facilities in the city, including Como Zoo will be closed Sunday.

All programs and activities are also canceled.

Minneapolis, St. Paul declare early snow emergencies

What we know:

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her announced at a Saturday afternoon news conference that both cities have pre-emptively declared snow emergencies ahead of a major winter storm coming to the Twin Cities Saturday night and into most of Sunday.

In St. Paul, residents are encouraged to move their cars off all night plow routes Saturday night. Her said the city will be opening Block 19 parking ramp in downtown St. Paul at 5 p.m. Saturday for residents to park their cars for free. Select park and recreation lots will also be open for parking.

In Minneapolis, a snow emergency is going into effect at 9 p.m. Sunday. Frey said the City of Minneapolis will open the Farmer’s Market and Salvation Army parking lots free of charge at 2 p.m. Saturday, until next Wednesday.

Ramp A in downtown Minneapolis will open at 6 a.m. Sunday, and cars can be parked there until 8 p.m. Wednesday for a $1 fee.

"Our snow plow drivers are in the starting blocks and they’re ready to go. For them, this is their Super Bowl and they’ve been preparing for this kind of snow event all year," Frey said.

Blizzard warnings declared

MN weather: What to expect with weekend storm

A winter storm is expected to bring heavy snow to the upper Midwest this weekend, with snow expected to start later Saturday and continue through Sunday. Dangerous travel conditions could persist through Monday.

The National Weather Service has issued Blizzard Warnings for most of central and southern Minnesota, starting Saturday afternoon and extending through the weekend into Monday morning. It includes the entire Twin Cities metro and other counties – Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Carver, Benton, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright, Chisago, Dakota, Isanti, Scott, Washington and Goodhue counties.

A massive snowstorm is expected to hit the Twin Cities, and much of the state, starting Saturday night. It’ll start with wintry mix of rain, freezing rain and sleet late Saturday night across south central Minnesota, and will come with strong winds.

A broad area is expected to see heavy snow, and travel in the state could become near impossible late Saturday night and Sunday. A narrow swath within the system could give some areas significant snowfall in far east central Minnesota, and west central Wisconsin.

Snowfall rates of 2-3 inches an hour possible

7:30 a.m.:

There is the potential for snowfall rates of 2-3 inches per hour during this storm. The heaviest snow is expected to be in the southern part of Minnesota and near the Twin Cities, as well as into Wisconsin.

Blizzard warning issued

7 a.m.:

A blizzard warning has been issued for portions of western and southern Minnesota, with heavy snow expected to become widespread Saturday evening.

Traffic is expected to be difficult to nearly impossible by early Sunday morning, according to the National Weather Service.

Find the latest weather alerts for Minnesota here.

Eden Prairie prepping for snow emergency

Why you should care:

The expected snowstorm will likely lead to several Twin Cities communities declaring snow emergencies, meaning residents will need to move their cars if they park on the street. The City of Eden Prairie sent a notice out to residents for what to expect between Saturday night and Monday morning.

How they plan to respond

Crews will work throughout the storm to maintain safe, passable roadways.
Because the storm is expected to be a multi-day event, every street throughout Eden Prairie will likely need to be plowed multiple times.
A full curb-to-curb cleanup will be performed when weather conditions allow.

What residents need to know

As soon as snow accumulation reaches 2 inches, a Snow Emergency is in effect and it is illegal to park on city streets.

Do not park on City streets – even if the street has been plowed already – until noon, Monday, March 16.
Remember, because this is expected to be a multi-day event, every street throughout Eden Prairie will likely need to be plowed multiple times.

Girls State Basketball Championship games moved

Timeline:

Due to the impending snowstorm, the Minnesota State High School League has moved up Saturday’s Girls State Basketball Championship games to allow fans to attend safely, and teams back to their communities safely.

Here is the updated schedule:

Class A – Mountain Iron-Buhl vs. Sleepy Eye St. Mary’s, 12 p.m. (Williams Arena)
Class AA – Providence Academy vs. Duluth Marshall, 4:30 p.m. (Williams Arena)
Class AAA – Benilde-St. Margaret’s vs. Stewartville, 2 p.m. (Williams Arena)
Class AAAA – Hopkins vs. Rosemount, 6:30 p.m. (Williams Arena)

Winter Weather Minnesota