By rikififi90 
A massive late-winter storm struck southern and eastern Minnesota on the morning of March 5, delivering heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions that disrupted life for thousands of residents. With wind gusts exceeding 72 km/h and snow accumulations reaching up to 10.5 inches in towns like Ellendale, the region faced road closures, halted public transit services, and power outages affecting over 10,000 homes and businesses. School districts, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, implemented emergency measures, canceling in-person classes or shifting to online learning, while maintenance crews battled to restore normalcy amid near-zero visibility on the roads.
The storm’s effects began the previous night, as initial rain formed an icy layer that worsened conditions when snow arrived overnight. Major highways, such as Interstate 90 between Luverne and Albert Lea, were shut down by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), which warned of hazardous conditions across the southwest and south-central parts of the state. The Minnesota State Patrol reported over 200 crashes and spinouts on highways between midnight and 7 a.m., underscoring the challenges faced by drivers and officials.
Schools in the Twin Cities metro area, including Anoka-Hennepin and Rochester, closed entirely, while others, like Minneapolis, adopted remote learning for grades 6 through 12. Metro Transit, the public transportation provider for the Twin Cities, temporarily suspended bus services, keeping only light rail and Northstar trains operational. At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, about 50 flights were delayed or canceled by 8 a.m., with snow removal crews working through the night to maintain runway functionality.
Storm’s impact strains local infrastructure
The combination of wet, heavy snow and powerful winds exposed the vulnerability of southern Minnesota’s infrastructure to extreme weather events. Over 10,000 Xcel Energy customers lost power by Wednesday morning, prompting the utility to deploy additional crews to prioritize restoring the hardest-hit areas. In cities like Woodbury, with 10 inches of snow, and Apple Valley, with 8.5 inches, residents struggled to navigate, while snowplows worked tirelessly against accumulating drifts.
MnDOT engineers reported that highways, particularly I-90, featured stretches of glossy ice and snowdrifts crossing lanes, complicating clearing efforts. Reduced visibility posed a critical challenge, making maintenance operations even riskier. In Nobles County, southwestern Minnesota, local authorities urged residents to avoid travel, noting that secondary roads were in worse condition than the main highways.
In the metro area, traffic in West St. Paul slowed dramatically, with Metro Transit buses navigating snow-covered streets shortly after plows passed through. The bus service suspension, announced just before 6 a.m., also affected Metro Mobility, a service for individuals with reduced mobility, leaving many without transportation alternatives during a critical time.
Emergency measures in schools and public services
Faced with the blizzard, school districts acted swiftly to ensure student safety. In Minneapolis, classes were canceled for pre-K through 5th-grade students, while middle and high schoolers were directed to follow an online learning day. The measure aims to meet state-required instructional hours despite the disruption. St. Paul shifted entirely to remote learning, while Rochester and Mankato opted for full closures.
The schedule of closures and delays reflects the storm’s widespread severity:
- Closed: Anoka-Hennepin, Rochester, Mankato, Austin, Edina.
- Online learning: St. Paul, Minneapolis (grades 6-12), River Falls, St. Clair (grades 7-12).
- Two-hour delay: Cambridge-Isanti, Hutchinson, Princeton, Watertown-Mayer.
Colleges and universities, such as Southwest Minnesota State University, adjusted operations by delaying campus openings, while others, like Minnesota State College Southeast, suspended in-person activities. The response from educational institutions highlights the priority placed on safety amid adverse weather conditions.
Timeline of alerts and weather forecasts
Alerts from the National Weather Service indicate the storm will persist throughout the day. Southern Minnesota remains under a blizzard warning until 3 p.m. on March 5, while the Twin Cities metro area is under a winter storm warning until the same time. Forecasters expect northerly winds to continue blowing, with gusts exceeding 72 km/h, potentially prolonging impacts on roads and power grids.
Snow totals recorded by 6 a.m. include 7.4 inches at the Twin Cities airport, 10.5 inches in Ellendale, and 6 inches in Faribault. Precipitation is expected to taper off in the afternoon, but low temperatures and pre-existing ice will likely maintain challenging conditions for hours. Emergency and maintenance teams remain active to mitigate effects, while residents are urged to monitor updates on road and weather conditions.
Disruptions amplify challenges for residents and officials
The blizzard turned streets and highways into chaotic scenes, with reports of vehicles trapped in snowdrifts and drivers facing lengthy delays. In St. Paul, the urban landscape was blanketed in white, covering cars, sidewalks, and buildings, while rural areas like Kenyon, with 7.5 inches of snow, saw access to properties and essential services hampered. The mix of heavy snow and strong winds downed power lines, worsening outages that impacted thousands of households.
At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, operations continued despite delays, with snow removal teams working overnight to keep runways functional. The 50 affected flights by 8 a.m. represent a fraction of daily traffic, but disruptions could escalate if conditions deteriorate further. Passengers were advised to check flight statuses before heading to the terminal.
Authorities responded by bolstering maintenance crews and prioritizing the clearing of major routes, such as State Highway 60, closed from the Iowa border to Mankato. Still, the battle against nature has been grueling, with snowplows struggling to keep pace with the storm and winds redistributing snow across roads.
Tips for coping with the blizzard in southern Minnesota
Residents in the affected region can take practical steps to minimize the storm’s impact. Below are suggestions based on the current situation:
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially on highways like I-90 and State Highway 60, where conditions are critical.
- Keep an emergency kit at home with flashlights, blankets, and non-perishable food due to power outages.
- Check traffic and weather updates from official sources before heading out, as visibility remains low.
- If driving, proceed cautiously, maintain distance from other vehicles, and use low-beam headlights during snowfall.
These precautions are vital for safety at a time when local infrastructure is under significant strain. Public cooperation is seen as key to reducing accidents and aiding emergency response efforts.
Extent of damages still under assessment
The toll of the March 5 storm is still being tallied, but early reports point to widespread disruption. Beyond the 200-plus crashes logged by the State Patrol, concerns linger over the integrity of power lines and poles toppled by winds reaching 80 km/h. In urban areas like Woodbury and Apple Valley, heavy snow piled onto rooftops and trees, raising the risk of structural collapses.
Local businesses and essential services also took a hit, with closures of campuses like Anoka-Ramsey Community College and suspended activities in smaller towns like Byron and Lanesboro. The halt in Twin Cities public transit left workers and students without viable options, while power outages complicated daily life for families in both rural and urban zones.
With forecasts indicating gradual improvement by afternoon, officials aim to regain control in the coming hours. Clearing highways and restoring power remain top priorities, but the blizzard’s challenges highlight the ongoing need for preparedness against extreme weather in southern Minnesota.
A massive late-winter storm struck southern and eastern Minnesota on the morning of March 5, delivering heavy snow, strong winds, and blizzard conditions that disrupted life for thousands of residents. With wind gusts exceeding 72 km/h and snow accumulations reaching up to 10.5 inches in towns like Ellendale, the region faced road closures, halted public transit services, and power outages affecting over 10,000 homes and businesses. School districts, including Minneapolis and St. Paul, implemented emergency measures, canceling in-person classes or shifting to online learning, while maintenance crews battled to restore normalcy amid near-zero visibility on the roads.
The storm’s effects began the previous night, as initial rain formed an icy layer that worsened conditions when snow arrived overnight. Major highways, such as Interstate 90 between Luverne and Albert Lea, were shut down by the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), which warned of hazardous conditions across the southwest and south-central parts of the state. The Minnesota State Patrol reported over 200 crashes and spinouts on highways between midnight and 7 a.m., underscoring the challenges faced by drivers and officials.
Schools in the Twin Cities metro area, including Anoka-Hennepin and Rochester, closed entirely, while others, like Minneapolis, adopted remote learning for grades 6 through 12. Metro Transit, the public transportation provider for the Twin Cities, temporarily suspended bus services, keeping only light rail and Northstar trains operational. At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, about 50 flights were delayed or canceled by 8 a.m., with snow removal crews working through the night to maintain runway functionality.
Storm’s impact strains local infrastructure
The combination of wet, heavy snow and powerful winds exposed the vulnerability of southern Minnesota’s infrastructure to extreme weather events. Over 10,000 Xcel Energy customers lost power by Wednesday morning, prompting the utility to deploy additional crews to prioritize restoring the hardest-hit areas. In cities like Woodbury, with 10 inches of snow, and Apple Valley, with 8.5 inches, residents struggled to navigate, while snowplows worked tirelessly against accumulating drifts.
MnDOT engineers reported that highways, particularly I-90, featured stretches of glossy ice and snowdrifts crossing lanes, complicating clearing efforts. Reduced visibility posed a critical challenge, making maintenance operations even riskier. In Nobles County, southwestern Minnesota, local authorities urged residents to avoid travel, noting that secondary roads were in worse condition than the main highways.
In the metro area, traffic in West St. Paul slowed dramatically, with Metro Transit buses navigating snow-covered streets shortly after plows passed through. The bus service suspension, announced just before 6 a.m., also affected Metro Mobility, a service for individuals with reduced mobility, leaving many without transportation alternatives during a critical time.
Emergency measures in schools and public services
Faced with the blizzard, school districts acted swiftly to ensure student safety. In Minneapolis, classes were canceled for pre-K through 5th-grade students, while middle and high schoolers were directed to follow an online learning day. The measure aims to meet state-required instructional hours despite the disruption. St. Paul shifted entirely to remote learning, while Rochester and Mankato opted for full closures.
The schedule of closures and delays reflects the storm’s widespread severity:
- Closed: Anoka-Hennepin, Rochester, Mankato, Austin, Edina.
- Online learning: St. Paul, Minneapolis (grades 6-12), River Falls, St. Clair (grades 7-12).
- Two-hour delay: Cambridge-Isanti, Hutchinson, Princeton, Watertown-Mayer.
Colleges and universities, such as Southwest Minnesota State University, adjusted operations by delaying campus openings, while others, like Minnesota State College Southeast, suspended in-person activities. The response from educational institutions highlights the priority placed on safety amid adverse weather conditions.
Timeline of alerts and weather forecasts
Alerts from the National Weather Service indicate the storm will persist throughout the day. Southern Minnesota remains under a blizzard warning until 3 p.m. on March 5, while the Twin Cities metro area is under a winter storm warning until the same time. Forecasters expect northerly winds to continue blowing, with gusts exceeding 72 km/h, potentially prolonging impacts on roads and power grids.
Snow totals recorded by 6 a.m. include 7.4 inches at the Twin Cities airport, 10.5 inches in Ellendale, and 6 inches in Faribault. Precipitation is expected to taper off in the afternoon, but low temperatures and pre-existing ice will likely maintain challenging conditions for hours. Emergency and maintenance teams remain active to mitigate effects, while residents are urged to monitor updates on road and weather conditions.
Disruptions amplify challenges for residents and officials
The blizzard turned streets and highways into chaotic scenes, with reports of vehicles trapped in snowdrifts and drivers facing lengthy delays. In St. Paul, the urban landscape was blanketed in white, covering cars, sidewalks, and buildings, while rural areas like Kenyon, with 7.5 inches of snow, saw access to properties and essential services hampered. The mix of heavy snow and strong winds downed power lines, worsening outages that impacted thousands of households.
At Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport, operations continued despite delays, with snow removal teams working overnight to keep runways functional. The 50 affected flights by 8 a.m. represent a fraction of daily traffic, but disruptions could escalate if conditions deteriorate further. Passengers were advised to check flight statuses before heading to the terminal.
Authorities responded by bolstering maintenance crews and prioritizing the clearing of major routes, such as State Highway 60, closed from the Iowa border to Mankato. Still, the battle against nature has been grueling, with snowplows struggling to keep pace with the storm and winds redistributing snow across roads.
Tips for coping with the blizzard in southern Minnesota
Residents in the affected region can take practical steps to minimize the storm’s impact. Below are suggestions based on the current situation:
- Avoid unnecessary travel, especially on highways like I-90 and State Highway 60, where conditions are critical.
- Keep an emergency kit at home with flashlights, blankets, and non-perishable food due to power outages.
- Check traffic and weather updates from official sources before heading out, as visibility remains low.
- If driving, proceed cautiously, maintain distance from other vehicles, and use low-beam headlights during snowfall.
These precautions are vital for safety at a time when local infrastructure is under significant strain. Public cooperation is seen as key to reducing accidents and aiding emergency response efforts.
Extent of damages still under assessment
The toll of the March 5 storm is still being tallied, but early reports point to widespread disruption. Beyond the 200-plus crashes logged by the State Patrol, concerns linger over the integrity of power lines and poles toppled by winds reaching 80 km/h. In urban areas like Woodbury and Apple Valley, heavy snow piled onto rooftops and trees, raising the risk of structural collapses.
Local businesses and essential services also took a hit, with closures of campuses like Anoka-Ramsey Community College and suspended activities in smaller towns like Byron and Lanesboro. The halt in Twin Cities public transit left workers and students without viable options, while power outages complicated daily life for families in both rural and urban zones.
With forecasts indicating gradual improvement by afternoon, officials aim to regain control in the coming hours. Clearing highways and restoring power remain top priorities, but the blizzard’s challenges highlight the ongoing need for preparedness against extreme weather in southern Minnesota.
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