Headline:
Winter Storm Watch issued March 13 at 2:27AM CDT until March 16 at 7:00AM CDT by NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN
Event:
Winter Storm Watch
Urgency:
Future
Effective:
March 13, 2026 - 12:27am
Expires:
March 13, 2026 - 12:30pm
Description:
...DANGEROUS WINTER STORM LIKELY TO BRING EXTREME SNOW ACCUMULATIONS
AND GUSTY WINDS...
...TRAVEL MAY BECOME IMPOSSIBLE LATE SATURDAY NIGHT AND SUNDAY...
.A major winter storm will move across the Upper Midwest late
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 1 to 2 feet. Totals across
portions of western and central Wisconsin could exceed 2 feet. The
combination of heavy snow and gusty winds will reduce visibility and
create periods of blizzard conditions on Sunday across western and
southern Minnesota. Travel is expected to become very difficult or
impossible late Saturday night and Sunday. In addition, the amount of
water in the snowpack will make it wet and very heavy, leading to the
potential for infrastructure damage and a health hazard for those
shoveling.
* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow possible. Total snow
accumulations between 18 and 28 inches possible. Winds could gust
as high as 40 mph.
* WHERE...Barron, Polk, Chippewa, Dunn, Eau Claire, Pepin, Pierce,
and St. Croix Counties.
* 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.
Instruction:
Monitor the latest forecasts for updates on this situation.
Prepare now for potential road closures. Delay travel and shelter in
place once conditions worsen. Remember, if interstate highways are
closed, state highways and county roads are also impassable.
Area Description:
Polk; Barron; St. Croix; Pierce; Dunn; Pepin; Chippewa; Eau Claire
Forcast Office:
NWS Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN