Disclaimer: This article covers a developing or serious situation. Information can change quickly. Multiple verification from official or authoritative sources is recommended before taking any action based on this or any single report. Readers are responsible for cross-checking facts and following local authorities’ guidance.
Minnesota and the broader Upper Midwest have been hit by a major March 2026 winter storm system, with multiple rounds of snow, blizzard warnings, and significant travel disruption. As kare11.com and other local outlets have reported, snowfall totals have varied widely by location, with northern areas and parts of the Twin Cities metro seeing some of the highest accumulations so far. This round-up summarises what has been reported about the storm’s impact and where the highest totals have been recorded, with the caveat that conditions remain in flux and readers should confirm details with the National Weather Service and local officials.
A Factual Round-Up of the March Snowstorm’s Impact and Where the Highest Totals Were Recorded
According to kare11.com’s reporting on who got the most snow in the Thursday winter storm, Holyoke had the highest totals at 8.8 inches, followed by Lester Park and Moose Lake with 8 inches each; the Duluth area had reported about 6.3 inches by 1 a.m. Friday. For the major weekend storm (Sunday into Monday), kare11.com reported Menomonee, Wisconsin, just east of the Twin Cities metro, at 10.3 inches; in Minnesota, Hugo received 9.1 inches, MSP Airport recorded 8.2 inches (a new record for the date), and Chanhassen 8.1 inches. The greater Twin Cities metro received between 4 and 11 inches from the weekend event, with southern Minnesota from Mankato to Rochester seeing up to a foot or more in some areas.
FOX 9 and KAXE reported additional totals from the March 12–13 period: the North Shore saw the heaviest snow, with Hovland and Grand Marais around 12 inches and Duluth, Silver Bay, and Carlton County areas around 10 inches. A trained spotter northwest of Hackensack reported 10.3 inches; other notable totals included 7.5 inches near Park Rapids, 7.4 inches in Chisholm, and 7.2 inches in McGregor and Grand Rapids. The National Weather Service and MPR News reported blizzard warnings for the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota, with authorities advising no travel in affected areas. Governor Tim Walz signed an executive order authorising the Minnesota National Guard to support emergency operations. As of 15 March, over 1.1 million Americans were reported without power in the storm’s path, with nearly 1,300 flights cancelled and travel described as impossible on major routes in the region during the peak of the storm.
What This Actually Means
The storm has been one of the most significant March events in years for the region. Bring Me The News and CBS Minnesota noted that the Twin Cities had a shot at their biggest March snow in a generation, with comparisons to the 11 inches in March 2007 and the 16.7-inch March record from 1985. The combination of heavy snow, high winds, and blizzard conditions has disrupted travel, closed schools and services, and prompted official warnings to stay off roads and verify information with authoritative sources.
What Is a Blizzard Warning?
A blizzard warning is issued by the National Weather Service when falling or blowing snow is expected with winds of 35 mph or greater, reducing visibility to less than a quarter of a mile for at least three hours. In this event, wind gusts of 50–70 mph were forecast in parts of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest, creating whiteout conditions and making travel extremely dangerous. Residents are advised to follow local emergency guidance and avoid travel until conditions improve.
Where Are the Highest Totals So Far?
Snowfall totals have varied widely. Northern Minnesota and parts of the Twin Cities metro have seen some of the highest accumulations reported so far, with local stations and kare11.com providing ongoing updates. The storm system has brought multiple rounds of snow and blizzard conditions; readers should check the National Weather Service and local media for the latest totals and for any changes to warnings. This round-up summarises what has been reported and is not a substitute for real-time official sources. Travel should be avoided where no-travel advisories are in effect. Check local sources before heading out.
Multiple rounds of snow have been reported across the region, with the heaviest accumulations in northern areas and in parts of the metro. The National Weather Service has issued winter storm and blizzard warnings at various times; readers should check the latest forecasts and follow local emergency management and MnDOT for closure and travel advice. This article is a summary of reported information and is not updated in real time. For the latest snowfall totals and warnings, use the National Weather Service and local media.
Sources
kare11.com, kare11.com (snow totals), FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul, MPR News, CBS Minnesota