A powerful March blizzard swept across central and southern Minnesota over the weekend, dumping more than 10 inches of snow in some areas and prompting Governor Tim Walz to activate the Minnesota National Guard for emergency operations.
How the Storm Unfolded
The storm system brought blizzard conditions with heavy snowfall and strong winds that reduced visibility to near zero in parts of the state. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recorded 7.3 inches of snow, while communities south of the metro area including Savage and Elko New Market measured accumulations exceeding 10 inches.
The storm's trajectory shifted slightly south of initial forecasts, sparing the far northern parts of the state from the worst conditions but intensifying impacts across the southern half. Road conditions deteriorated rapidly, with multiple highways closed and travel advisories issued across the region.
Emergency Response
Governor Walz signed an executive order authorizing National Guard deployment to support local emergency operations, including road clearance and welfare checks on stranded motorists. The Minnesota Department of Transportation deployed hundreds of plows but warned that some routes would remain impassable until winds subsided.
Power outages affected thousands of households as heavy, wet snow brought down tree limbs and power lines. Utilities reported crews working around the clock to restore service.
Key Takeaways
- The Twin Cities received 7.3 inches of snow; southern suburbs saw over 10 inches.
- Governor Walz activated the National Guard for emergency storm support.
- Travel remains dangerous in central and southern Minnesota as cleanup continues.
- The storm is winding down but residual impacts will persist through Monday.
Original source: MPR News, CBS Minnesota
How this was produced: AI-assisted synthesis from cited sources, filtered for duplication and low-value rewrites by TxtFeed quality rules.
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