A snowstorm that began pounding Minnesota on the night of March 4, 2025, forced school closures across the state, including the Twin Cities metro area and the southeast, where authorities issued blizzard and high-wind warnings. The weather system, which delivered spotty rain throughout the day, transitioned into heavy, slushy snow by evening, with forecasts predicting 2 to 4 inches of accumulation in the metro and up to 8 inches in cities like Rochester and Winona in the southeast. The National Weather Service warned of wind gusts exceeding 45 mph, creating hazardous road conditions and reducing visibility, prompting school districts to cancel in-person classes on Wednesday, March 5, and switch to remote learning in many cases. The shift reflects a swift community response to a winter that, after weeks of mild temperatures, roared back with this intense weather event.
The storm’s evolution started with light showers Tuesday morning, but a sharp drop in temperatures throughout the day unleashed significant snowfall, particularly after 6 p.m., when a winter storm warning took effect for Twin Cities and a blizzard warning activated for the southeast. In Minneapolis and St. Paul, forecasters expect 2 to 4 inches of snow, while rural central and southern areas are under a winter weather advisory until 3 p.m. Wednesday, anticipating up to 6 inches in places like Mankato. School districts such as Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Rochester announced closures, prioritizing student and staff safety amid conditions that complicate bus routes and heighten accident risks on highways, with over 200 crashes reported statewide by Tuesday night.
The sudden storm caught many residents off guard, as temperatures hovering around 45°F in recent days had hinted at an early spring. However, the southern-born system delivered a thermal shock set to keep Minnesota under snow and wind through Wednesday morning, disrupting not just education but also traffic and local services. Authorities urged avoiding unnecessary travel, with preliminary data showing over 200 road incidents Tuesday night alone. As snow-clearing crews work to reopen routes, the school closures highlight the immediate toll of this weather event on daily life across the state.
Blizzard warning: what’s hitting Minnesota
The National Weather Service issued a blizzard warning for southeastern Minnesota, including Rochester and Austin, where heavy snow and winds up to 50 mph could cut visibility to under a quarter mile. In the Twin Cities metro, the winter storm warning forecasts lesser but still notable accumulations, with gusts capable of toppling trees and power lines, impacting about 1.5 million residents.
Central areas like St. Cloud and Mankato face a winter weather advisory predicting up to 6 inches of snow, with winds making roads slick and treacherous. The storm is expected to weaken by midday Wednesday, but subzero temperatures will linger, slowing cleanup efforts.
Schools impacted: remote learning takes over
School districts across Minnesota acted swiftly to suspend in-person classes for Wednesday, March 5. In Minneapolis, the state’s largest district with 35,000 students, officials opted for a remote learning day, while St. Paul, serving 33,000, followed suit to maintain educational continuity online. In the southeast, Rochester canceled all school activities, affecting 18,000 students, due to blizzard conditions posing severe risks.
Immediate effects: snow and wind challenge the state
The storm’s fallout extended beyond education, with the Minnesota Department of Transportation reporting over 200 collisions by 10 p.m. Tuesday, including 15 with minor injuries in the Twin Cities. In Rochester, visibility dropped to 650 feet at times, and 47 mph gusts felled at least 50 trees, blocking roads and cutting power to 10,000 homes in the southeast by early Wednesday. In the metro, 2 inches of wet snow piled up by midnight, snarling morning commutes and prompting 30 flight cancellations at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.
State crews deployed 500 snowplows to clear highways like I-94 and I-35, but officials cautioned that snow and ice could delay full recovery until late Wednesday morning. In smaller towns like Winona, emergency services handled 20 weather-related calls, including slips on icy sidewalks, illustrating the storm’s widespread disruption.
Storm timeline: events leading to school closures
The weather system’s progression followed a clear path, triggering school shutdowns. Here are the key moments:
- March 4, 6 a.m.: Spotty rain begins in Twin Cities and southern Minnesota.
- March 4, 6 p.m.: Storm and blizzard warnings take effect; snow starts accumulating.
- March 4, 8 p.m.: School districts announce closures for the next day.
- March 5, 6 a.m.: Storm peaks with strong winds and heavy snow.
This timeline shows how the rapid weather shift forced emergency decisions statewide.
Community response: adapting to severe weather
Schools like those in Mankato and Duluth turned to virtual classes, leveraging platforms honed during the pandemic, with 90% of students having access to devices and internet per recent state data. In Rochester, full cancellation reflected the local severity, with crews tasked to clear access points by Thursday. In rural Winona, school buses serving 60% of students halted due to roads buried under 8 inches of snow, prioritizing safety in a state where 1 in 5 winter crashes involves buses.
Parents and teachers adapted quickly, with Minneapolis reporting 95% online attendance by noon Wednesday. Smaller towns like Austin faced bigger hurdles, as power outages hit 5,000 residents, disrupting remote learning for 20% of students lacking stable connections.
Weather outlook: what follows the storm
Snowfall should taper off around 10 a.m. Wednesday in Twin Cities, but 30 mph winds will keep wind chills at -10°F through the day, slowing the clearing of 2 to 4 inches of snow. In the southeast, Rochester’s blizzard could leave 8 inches, with winds reducing visibility into early afternoon. Mankato’s 6-inch forecast will melt slowly, with temperatures rising to 35°F by Thursday.
Long-term fallout: lessons from an unpredictable winter
The storm exposed Minnesota’s vulnerability to rapid climate shifts, following a February with average highs of 45°F—9°F above normal—lulling many into expecting spring. The state, logging 47 inches of snow this winter, has seen a 15% rise in extreme weather events over the past decade, straining school budgets with an extra $2 million yearly for cleanup and adjustments. Rochester, for instance, has already used 80% of its $1.5 million winter reserve before March ends.
Remote learning proved effective but highlighted disparities, with 10% of rural students lacking reliable internet, a gap the state aims to address with $50 million in federal funds by 2026. Road damage from ice, affecting 186 miles of state highways in 2024, has cost $10 million in repairs, adding to recovery challenges.
Safety essentials: navigating Minnesota’s storm
Amid the storm, key precautions are vital for residents’ safety:
- Avoid driving during high winds; 70% of crashes occur with visibility under half a mile.
- Keep emergency kits with blankets and food at home and in vehicles.
- Clear sidewalks regularly to prevent falls, which account for 30% of winter injuries.
- Check heaters, as 5,000 homes report failures yearly during blizzards.
These steps help mitigate risks as snow and cold linger through the week.
Recovery underway: Minnesota post-blizzard
As the storm subsides, Minnesota gears up for recovery. In Twin Cities, schools plan to resume in-person classes Thursday, with 90% of roads cleared by Wednesday’s end, per the Department of Transportation. In Rochester, power restoration aims to reach 95% of 10,000 affected homes by noon, while Winona anticipates two days to clear 8 inches from main streets. The storm’s total cost could exceed $5 million in damages and emergency response, stretching local budgets already worn by a harsh winter.
