Blizzard Conditions Blanket Midwest

Millions under weather warnings as winter storm brings heavy snow, strong winds, and freezing rain

Mar. 16, 2026 at 2:09am

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A major winter storm is bringing blizzard conditions to a large swath of the Midwest, with heavy snowfall, strong winds, and freezing rain expected to continue into Monday. Millions are under weather warnings, and the storm has already dumped 12 to 17 inches of snow in some areas, leading to thousands of flight cancellations and power outages across several states.

Why it matters

The severe winter weather is disrupting travel and daily life for millions of people across the Midwest, with the potential for the storm to set new snowfall records in some areas. The activation of emergency operations centers in several states underscores the seriousness of the situation and the need for residents to heed warnings and take precautions.

The details

The winter storm is expected to drop one to three inches of snow per hour, with the heaviest snowfall occurring in a 200-mile area running from Rochester, Minnesota to Wausau, Wisconsin. The Minneapolis area has already seen between 7 and 10 inches of snow, while other areas have received 12 to 17 inches. In addition to the heavy snow, the storm is also bringing strong winds and freezing rain, making visibility and travel extremely hazardous.

  • The storm started late Friday and is expected to continue into Monday.
  • As of Sunday afternoon, over 2,600 flights had been cancelled, primarily at airports in Chicago and Minneapolis.

The players

National Weather Service

The federal agency responsible for weather forecasting and issuing weather warnings in the United States.

Fox Weather

A weather news and information service operated by Fox News.

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What they’re saying

“A major winter storm will bring a swath of heavy snowfall, strong winds, blizzard conditions and freezing rain to the Northern Plains into the Great Lakes region. Severe storms capable of producing widespread damaging winds, tornadoes, and some large hail may impact the Mid-south…”

— National Weather Service

What’s next

Emergency operations centers in Michigan, Nebraska and Minnesota remain activated as the threat of additional snowfall is expected to continue into Monday, potentially making visibility and travel extremely hazardous.

The takeaway

This winter storm serves as a stark reminder of the need for Midwest residents to be prepared for severe winter weather, heed weather warnings, and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during these types of extreme weather events.