Winter Storm Watch Minnesota | Effective 03/12/2026 12:20

...MAJOR WINTER STORM TO BRING HEAVY SNOW ACCUMULATIONS, GUSTY WINDS, AND SIGNIFICANT TRAVEL IMPACTS THIS WEEKEND... .A major winter storm will move across the Upper Midwest Saturday into Sunday. Model guidance continues to illustrate a remarkable precipitation footprint across the region which will yield heavy snow accumulations on the order of 6-10" across the Watch area. Localized totals across portions of southeastern MN and western WI will likely exceed 12". The combination of heavy snow and gusty winds will reduce visibility and create periods of blizzard conditions on Sunday. Very hazardous travel conditions will develop as a result. * WHAT...Heavy snow likely. Total snow accumulations in excess of 6" likely, with localized amounts exceeding 12" across southern MN. Winds could gust as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central, east central, south central, southeast, southwest, and west central Minnesota. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through Monday morning. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. The hazardous conditions could impact the Monday morning commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.