Winter Storm Bringing Blizzard Conditions, Record Snow To Upper Midwest

Minneapolis Continues to Experience Heavy Snowfall from Winter Storm

A significant winter storm is currently causing blizzard conditions, record-breaking snow, powerful winds, and hazardous travel across parts of the upper Midwest and Great Lakes. This system is then expected to usher in a surge of strong winds and frigid air throughout much of the East and South.

The Weather Channel has officially named this weekend’s event Winter Storm Iona.

Across portions of Wisconsin and Michigan, snow has been accumulating at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour. Over 20 inches of snow have already been recorded from southern Minnesota to central Wisconsin, with Marinette, Wisconsin, reporting a total of 28 inches.

This harsh winter reality check arrives as a textbook example of March’s wild weather fluctuations. It follows closely on the heels of a severe weather outbreak and a period of record warmth in the central and eastern U.S., which is now intensifying into an unprecedented March heat wave in the Southwest.

(MORE: March’s Weather Can Be Unpredictable)

Blizzard Conditions Over the Weekend

Here’s an overview of where the most intense snowfall is currently occurring:

Alerts Issued

The most recent winter weather advisories are detailed below:

Here are the active high wind alerts. These intense winds have the potential to ignite new wildfires and exacerbate existing ones.

Chronology of Events

By Monday, the robust low-pressure system will rapidly push the cold front eastward. Snowfall behind this low is anticipated for some areas that just saw storms on Sunday night.

(MAPS: 7-Day U.S. Snow and Rain Projections)

Precipitation might transition from rain to a brief burst of snow in the Ohio Valley and Appalachians. For much of the East Coast, this event will primarily involve rain, with strong to severe thunderstorms capable of producing damaging winds possible from parts of the Northeast down to the Carolinas.

(MORE: Severe Thunderstorm Forecast for Regions from the Mid-Mississippi Valley to the East Coast)

Potent winds are expected to persist across much of the Midwest and East into Monday, potentially causing power outages, particularly near the Great Lakes and along the immediate East Coast.

Anticipated Snowfall Totals

Certain areas of the upper Midwest could experience a historic snowstorm.

From portions of southern Minnesota into central and northern Wisconsin, as well as far northern Lower Michigan and Upper Michigan, over a foot of snow is predicted. In fact, some of these regions might see 1 to 3 feet of accumulation from this storm, potentially including Green Bay, Marquette, and Mackinac Island. A few isolated spots in northern Michigan could even receive 4 feet of snow.

Furthermore, Marquette has already accumulated over 214 inches of snow since October 1st, ranking it among the top 5 snowiest periods from October 1st to March 14th.

According to NOAA records, this event could approach or surpass 2-day snowfall records in various locations across northeast Wisconsin, eastern Upper Michigan, and extreme northern Lower Michigan.

Snow is expected to fall at a rate of 1 to 3 inches per hour through early Monday, coupled with strong winds. This combination could result in extremely hazardous, if not impossible, travel conditions. If you intend to travel during this period in the western Great Lakes and upper Midwest, it is advisable to either postpone or cancel your plans.

Adding to the complexity, there’s also a possibility of a band of freezing rain and sleet for a time on Sunday, extending from parts of extreme northern Iowa and southern Minnesota into southern Wisconsin and Lower Michigan. This would then change to rain, before reverting to snow. Such conditions could lead to ice accumulations, making roads treacherous.

These strong winds, heavy snowfall, and potential ice accumulations could also lead to tree damage and widespread power outages.

We do not anticipate significant snowfall in the Northeast from this winter storm. Rain will be the primary precipitation type, and dry air aloft should largely limit any wrap-around snow chances.

(MORE: Essential Information About Snow Forecasts)

A Lingering Chill

Key Forecast Details

The weekend blizzard is expected to draw down a fresh wave of cold air from Canada starting this weekend, which will maintain its grip into the week of St. Patrick’s Day.

On Sunday, this cold air mass is diving southward into the Plains. By Monday, it will have reached the northern Gulf Coast. On Tuesday, the cold air will have swept through the East, extending into Florida.

Monday’s daytime highs will remain in the teens, 20s, and 30s across much of the Midwest. For St. Patrick’s Day, most of the Northeast and Midwest will see temperatures in the 20s and 30s, while the Southeast will shiver in the 40s and 50s for the most part.

Subzero low temperatures are possible in parts of North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Michigan’s Upper Peninsula on Monday and Tuesday. Much of the Deep South, including portions of far northern Florida, is predicted to fall below the freezing mark on Tuesday and Wednesday morning.

Some daily record lows and cold high temperatures could be threatened, particularly in the Deep South, where frost could reach as far south as Mobile, Alabama, and New Orleans. Highs struggling to reach 60 degrees in central Florida could mark their coldest St. Patrick’s Day highs on record.

(MAPS: 10-Day U.S. Forecast for High and Low Temperatures)

Duration of the Cold Spell

For those weary of winter weather, especially after the recent warm spell, there is some encouraging news.

Warmer air is anticipated to migrate eastward into the Plains by the middle of the upcoming week, potentially extending further east later in the week.

However, some longer-range models suggest that a return of colder air may affect parts of the Midwest and Northeast around the weekend of March 21st and 22nd, or the following week.

Such is the nature of March, isn’t it?

Jonathan Erdman is a seasoned meteorologist at weather.com, having reported on national and international weather since 1996. He has a particular interest in extreme and unusual weather phenomena. You can connect with him on Bluesky, X (formerly Twitter), and Facebook.