Powerful Blizzard Slams Minnesota, Causing Chaos on Roads and Power Outages

A winter storm brought heavy snow, strong winds, and hazardous driving conditions across the state.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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A powerful winter storm pummeled Minnesota on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, with blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall causing widespread disruption. The North Shore region was hit the hardest, with some areas receiving over 30 inches of snow. Hundreds of crashes were reported statewide, including 132 property damage incidents, six injury crashes, and 109 vehicles found off the road. The storm also led to power outages and forced the closure of Highway 61 from Duluth to the Canadian border. Despite the widespread snowfall, the National Weather Service extended winter weather advisories until 12 a.m. Thursday across central Minnesota, including the Twin Cities, and northern Minnesota.

Why it matters

The blizzard conditions and heavy snowfall caused significant disruptions to transportation and infrastructure across Minnesota, highlighting the state's vulnerability to severe winter weather events. The storm's impact on the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore also demonstrates how extreme weather can affect outdoor recreation and tourism in the region.

The details

The storm, which began impacting Minnesota on Wednesday, February 18, led to hundreds of crashes statewide, including 132 property damage incidents, six injury crashes, and 109 vehicles found off the road between 5 p.m. And 8:30 p.m. Wednesday alone, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. Ten semi-trucks jackknifed during the same period. The North Shore bore the brunt of the storm, with some areas receiving over 30 inches of snow. Highway 61 was closed Wednesday morning from Duluth to the Canadian border to allow snowplow crews to clear the roadway. Visibility in Two Harbors dropped to as low as a quarter of a mile early Wednesday.

  • The blizzard warning remained in effect for St. Louis and Carlton counties along Minnesota's North Shore through noon Thursday, February 19, 2026.
  • The storm began impacting Minnesota on Wednesday, February 18, 2026.
  • Between 5 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, the Minnesota State Patrol reported 132 property damage incidents, six injury crashes, and 109 vehicles found off the road.
  • Highway 61 was closed Wednesday morning, February 18, 2026, from Duluth to the Canadian border.
  • Visibility in Two Harbors dropped to as low as a quarter of a mile early Wednesday, February 18, 2026.

The players

Minnesota State Patrol

The law enforcement agency that reported the hundreds of crashes and vehicle incidents during the storm.

National Weather Service

The federal agency that issued the blizzard warning and winter weather advisories for the affected regions in Minnesota.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore

A national park in northern Wisconsin that was impacted by the storm, with the ice pack at the caves being broken up and likely ending foot access for the remainder of the winter.

Adam Lorch

The chief meteorologist at Northern News Now who captured the rare weather phenomenon of thundersnow in the Duluth area.

Lt. Mike Lee

A Minnesota State Patrol officer who commented on the high number of vehicles off the road due to people driving too fast for the conditions.

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What they’re saying

“We are seeing a large number of vehicles off the road, so for the most part, that seems to be people driving too fast for the conditions.”

— Lt. Mike Lee, Minnesota State Patrol

“Super cool”

— Adam Lorch, Chief Meteorologist, Northern News Now

What’s next

A separate snowstorm is forecast to trend south and east of Minnesota Thursday night into Friday, though Minnesota is expected to avoid the worst of it. Temperatures are expected to return to seasonal levels late in the week, leading into a quiet weekend.

The takeaway

The powerful blizzard that struck Minnesota highlights the state's vulnerability to severe winter weather events and the need for robust emergency preparedness and response measures to protect public safety and infrastructure during such storms.