The winter storm that moved across Minnesota overnight has created challenging road conditions MN travelers are still dealing with today. From the Twin Cities to the western plains and deep into the northern region, snow, ice, and powerful winds have turned highways into difficult routes that demand caution and patience. This expanded report provides a clear picture of what drivers are experiencing right now, how conditions evolved, and what to expect as crews continue working to stabilize the situation across the state.
A statewide picture of current travel challenges
Minnesota woke up to a messy, hard-to-navigate roadway network after several inches of snow fell across different regions. Freezing air moved in quickly, turning wet pavement into glassy ice. Wind gusts blew snow back across cleared paths, erasing earlier plow work. Transportation crews have been active since before dawn, yet many areas remain difficult to drive through as the system continues to settle.
Morning traffic saw widespread slowdowns. Plows, emergency responders, and maintenance crews moved steadily through city grids and major highways, but callers and officials reported spinouts, vehicles sliding off shoulders, and heavy congestion. In rural regions where trees and open fields line the roads, drifting snow reduced visibility and created unexpected patches of compacted ice.
The hazards differ by region, and understanding those differences helps drivers prepare before heading out.
Twin Cities metro sees heavy delays and slick surfaces
The metropolitan area faced major complications early today. As snow fell overnight, roads that appeared wet began freezing. By sunrise, major interstates, ramps, and city streets became slick. The morning rush started slower than usual as commuters braked more gently and widened their following distances.
Interstate corridors through the metro experienced:
- Slippery left lanes due to compacted snow
- Slowdowns on curved ramps where ice formed faster
- Backup clusters behind jackknifed commercial vehicles
- Blowing snow that reduced visibility on higher overpasses
City plow fleets worked through the night, but high winds continued to push snow back across main roads. Many neighborhoods also saw uneven surfaces where thin layers of ice were concealed beneath fresh snow. Residents navigating residential blocks reported difficult traction, especially on hills and intersections that froze early.
Travel improved slightly through midmorning, though icy patches remained, especially in shaded areas and sections near open fields. With colder temperatures expected to hold through the day, road crews warn that thawing is unlikely.
Western Minnesota still struggling despite advisory lift
West-central Minnesota dealt with some of the harshest travel challenges statewide. A no-travel advisory — issued after conditions became severe — has since been lifted, but many drivers remain cautious. That region, with its broad, flat plains and limited natural windbreaks, sees some of the worst drifting problems during heavy winter weather.
Drivers in this area encountered:
- Long stretches of highway coated in compacted snow
- Patches of hard ice beneath darker snow layers
- Blowing snow that cut visibility to near zero
- Shoulders filled with drift buildup
- Frequent slowdowns behind cleanup equipment
Highways such as I-94 and Highway 10 experienced major disruptions overnight, including jackknifed semis and off-road vehicles. Crews have made good progress clearing the main travel lanes, but many secondary roads remain tricky. Even when a road looks bare, thin ice from refreezing precipitation can remain hidden.
Farm-to-market roads, local county highways, and rural connectors are still the most dangerous segments in the region. Drivers are advised to maintain slow speeds, avoid sudden lane changes, and allow more distance behind plows.
Northern Minnesota faces deep snow and low temperatures
Northern Minnesota saw higher snow totals than other regions, and that extra accumulation continues to shape travel conditions. Some areas received as much as eight inches, creating a thick base over roads before plows could make passes. As winds picked up, the loose snow on top created waves of drifting that swept across highways.
Key issues drivers reported include:
- Completely snow-covered highways across open terrain
- Hard-packed snow under tires, reducing braking ability
- Reduced visibility when winds lifted snow from road banks
- Freeze-over on major routes shortly after plow completion
- Increased travel times due to narrowed lanes
Local travel remains difficult, with some side streets nearly impassable without four-wheel drive. Even major highways offering better traction can become hazardous quickly when gusts blow new snow across travel lanes.
Temperatures in the northern part of the state will remain low throughout the day, preventing any meaningful thawing and raising concerns about fresh ice forming beneath thin snow layers.
How road crews are responding
Road maintenance teams and local governments have been working continuously since the storm began. Plow operators started early to stay ahead of the accumulating snow. Crews have focused on keeping primary routes open, including interstates, major state highways, and high-traffic city corridors. When visibility dropped during overnight hours, plows had to slow significantly for safety.
Their priority actions include:
- Clearing main lanes and high-volume commuter routes
- Spreading salt and sand to improve traction
- Addressing drifting on bridges, overpasses, and rural stretches
- Assisting emergency responders clearing accident sites
- Applying deicing materials during brief warm spells
Despite their efforts, the nature of this storm — a combination of wet early precipitation followed by cold air and strong winds — has made it difficult to maintain consistently clear roads. Travelers may see stretches of cleared pavement that quickly turn slick again as temperatures fall and blowing snow refreezes.
Why today’s storm created such widespread hazards
Several weather factors combined to create the difficult conditions present across the state:
1. Rapid temperature shifts
Early precipitation began as rain or wet snow in some regions. When temperatures fell sharply overnight, the wet surface froze before trucks could apply salt. This created a widespread glaze that is hard to treat quickly.
2. High snowfall rates in short windows
Northern and western counties saw several inches fall over only a few hours. The fast pace meant plows had trouble keeping up, leaving many routes snow-covered well into the morning.
3. Wind gusts across open landscapes
Large portions of rural Minnesota offer no windbreaks. Strong gusts blew snow across roads and created rolling drifts that reduced visibility. Even routes cleared once could disappear beneath drifting snow minutes later.
4. Heavy pre-holiday travel volume
With millions of residents preparing for holiday movement, roads were busier than usual. More vehicles on less-stable surfaces meant a higher risk of sliding, misjudging braking distances, or colliding with stalled traffic.
Each of these factors intensified the others, leading to the widespread impact seen today.
What drivers should do before traveling
To stay safe while conditions remain unstable, drivers should follow key precautions recommended for winter travel:
- Check the statewide travel information service before leaving
- Keep speeds significantly lower than the posted limits
- Allow more time for commutes or long-distance trips
- Maintain extra room behind other vehicles
- Pack winter emergency supplies, including blankets, food, and a phone charger
- Clear all snow from your vehicle to improve visibility
- Avoid cruise control on snowy or icy roads
- Brake gradually to prevent skidding
For drivers heading into northern or western Minnesota, extra caution is critical. These regions saw the greatest impact from drifting snow, and while crews are making progress, not all stretches are fully stabilized.
Conditions for the rest of the day
Snowfall will taper off as the day progresses, but that does not mean road surfaces will improve rapidly. The wind is expected to continue through the afternoon, and blowing snow may reduce visibility in several areas. Icy patches will persist due to cold temperatures.
Even if skies clear, travel hazards may remain for hours because:
- Salt becomes less effective at lower temperatures
- Refreezing can occur beneath thin layers of snow
- Rural drifts often return faster than plows can remove them
- Nighttime temperatures may drop again, creating new ice
The state is expected to see gradual improvement by late tonight, but crews may continue working into tomorrow to clear remaining buildup and hardened snowpack.
Final thoughts
The current storm has left Minnesota with challenging roads, long delays, and slow movement across large regions of the state. Staying informed, preparing properly, and adjusting travel plans as needed will help reduce risks. Conditions will continue to evolve through the day, but caution remains essential no matter where the journey leads.
If you’ve experienced any unusual delays or difficult spots today, share your observations below so other readers can stay aware and prepared.