Mesoscale Discussion Warns of Heavy Snow, Blizzard Conditions in Upper Midwest

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The National Weather Service's Storm Prediction Center has issued a Mesoscale Discussion warning of moderate to heavy snow bands that will increase in coverage through late morning along portions of the Minnesota North Shore to far northern Lower Michigan. Snowfall rates of 1 to 2 inches per hour are expected, with localized blizzard conditions possible along east-facing lake shores.

Why it matters

Heavy snow and blizzard conditions can lead to dangerous travel conditions, power outages, and other winter weather-related impacts across the affected regions. The Storm Prediction Center's Mesoscale Discussions help provide advanced warning to local National Weather Service offices and the public.

The details

An upstream lobe of strongly forced ascent from east-central Minnesota to southeast Wisconsin will shift northeast through late morning, transitioning from rain to winter precipitation types as it spreads across the Upper Great Lakes. Snowfall rates will likely be enhanced with transient bursts of 2 to 3 inches per hour possible along the interface of sleet/freezing rain to all snow transition. Localized blizzard conditions along east-facing lake shores should persist into late morning before eventually waning as the surface pressure gradient relaxes towards midday.

• The Mesoscale Discussion is valid from 10:16 UTC to 14:45 UTC on February 18, 2026.
• The heavy snow bands are expected to increase in coverage through late morning along the Minnesota North Shore to far northern Lower Michigan.