Blizzard, Winter Storm Warnings Remain, New Advisories In Effect

The winter storm that had been tracked and talked about for many days is here, and many people in its path have experienced dangerous conditions with a combination of strong winds, ice, and snow.

Downed trees and power lines have also occurred, adding to the already hazardous travel conditions and causing power outages. Everyone in the path of this storm is reminded not to touch downed lines and to report any power outages to their electric company.

How much ice and snow people in Minnesota and Wisconsin will ultimately depend on their location. At one point, there were two Blizzard Warnings in the area, one for the North Shore and one for the Duluth/Cloquet areas.

UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service kept the Blizzard Warning for the North Shore area, but the Duluth/Cloquet area was reduced to a Winter Weather Advisory, as were other areas. One Winter Storm Warning also remains.

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Blizzard Warning

This lone Blizzard Warning includes the cities of Silver Bay, Grand Marais, and Two Harbors, which have seen the worst of the storm since it began.

What: Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations between 4 and 10 inches and ice accumulations of around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
Where: Southern Cook and Southern Lake Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation.
When: Until noon on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening, especially along Highway 61 on the North Shore. Travel could be very difficult or impossible. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes. Gusty winds could
bring down tree branches.
Additional Information: Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. Call 511 or visit www.511mn.org for Minnesota road information.

WEDNESDAY UPDATE: At 1:47 PM on Wednesday, February 19, the National Weather Service also reduced a series of Winter Storm Warnings affecting counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin to Winter Weather Advisories.

However, one Winter Storm Warning does remain, and travel in this area is not recommended. If travel is necessary, keep an extra flashlight, food, and water in your vehicle in case of an emergency. Call 511 or visit www.511mn.org for Minnesota road information.

Winter Storm Warning

This one remaining Winter Storm Warning is for Northern Cook and Lake Counties, including the city of Isabella.

What: Heavy snow. Additional snow accumulations between 2 and 4 inches except between 4 and 10 inches for the higher terrain of the North Shore, and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
Where: Northern Cook and Lake County. This also includes the Boundary Waters eastern and central areas.
When: Until noon on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: Visibility may drop below 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.

UPDATE: Although snow continues to fall, the National Weather Service reduced several Winter Storm Warnings to Winter Weather Advisories. Travelers in these areas are encouraged to slow down and use caution. Call 511 or visit www.511mn.org for Minnesota road conditions.

Winter Weather Advisory #1

This includes the Duluth/Cloquet areas.

What: Snow and light freezing drizzle. Additional snow accumulations of up to 1 and 3 inches, and ice accumulations of around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
Where: Carlton and South St. Louis Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Fond du Lac Band.
When: Until noon on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

Winter Weather Advisory #2

This warning includes Central St. Louis County, including the city of Hibbing.

What: Snow and light freezing drizzle. Additional snow accumulations of up to 1 to 3 inches, and ice accumulations of around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
Where: Central St. Louis County. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Bois Forte Band and the Lake Vermilion area.
When: Until midnight CST on Wednesday, February 18.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

Winter Weather Advisory #3

This warning includes the cities of International Falls, Bigfork, and Ely.

What: Snow and light freezing drizzle. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
Where: Koochiching, North Itasca, and North St. Louis Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Bois Forte Band, Deer Creek, and Nett Lake areas. Other locations include Voyageurs National Park. This also includes the Boundary Waters western area.
When: Until midnight CST on Wednesday, February 18.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening commute.

Winter Weather Advisory #4

Includes the cities of Walker, Grand Rapids, and Hill City.

What: Snow and light freezing drizzle. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph.
Where: Northern Aitkin, North Cass, and South Itasca Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Mille Lacs Band, Big Sandy Lake area.
When: Until midnight on Wednesday, February 18.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening commute.

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Winter Weather Advisory #5

This warning includes the Wisconsin cities of Bayfield, Superior, and Washburn.

What: Snow and light freezing drizzle. Additional snow accumulations up to 1 to 3 inches and ice accumulations of around a light glaze.
Where: Bayfield and Douglas Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Red Cliff Band. Other locations include the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
When: Until noon CST on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

Winter Weather Advisory #6

This includes the cities of Hurley and Ashland.

What: Snow and light freezing drizzle. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch and ice accumulations around a light glaze.
Where: Ashland and Iron Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the northwestern area of the Lac du Flambeau Band and the Bad River Reservation. Other locations include Madeline Island.
When: Until noon on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday evening and Thursday morning commutes.

Winter Weather Advisory #7

This advisory includes the cities of Alexandria, Madison, St Cloud, Benson,
Glenwood, Montevideo, Willmar, Litchfield, and Morris.

What: Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
Where: Kandiyohi, Meeker, Stearns, Chippewa, Douglas, Lac Qui Parle, Pope, Stevens, and Swift Counties.
When: Until 9 PM on Wednesday, February 18.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

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Winter Weather Advisory #8

This includes the cities of Shakopee, Hutchinson, Faribault, Owatonna, St. Paul, St James, Chanhassen, Chaska, Le Sueur, Hastings, Gaylord, Monticello, Minneapolis, Victoria, Red Wing, Waseca, and Stillwater.

What: Snow. Additional snow accumulations up to 3 inches. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
Where: McLeod, Sibley, Wright, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott, Washington, Le Sueur, Rice, Steele, Waseca, Watonwan, and Goodhue Counties.
When: Until 9 PM on Wednesday, February 18.
Impacts: Plan on slippery road conditions. The hazardous conditions will impact the Wednesday evening commute. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches.

2026 Winter Olympic Athletes With Minnesota Ties

Minnesota is among the leaders in the United States in the number of athletes representing Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. With 26 Minnesota natives on Team USA and additional athletes with ties to the Land of 10,000 Lakes (such as competing collegiately or professionally for a Minnesota sports team), a total of 36 competitors on Team USA have connections to Minnesota. Here's a look at who they all are, where they're from, and what events they're participating in.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

2026 Winter Olympic Athletes With Wisconsin Ties

Wisconsin is among a handful of states with a double-digit number of athletes representing Team USA in the 2026 Winter Olympic Games in Italy. With 11 Wisconsin natives on Team USA and additional athletes with ties to the Badger State (such as competing collegiately for a Wisconsin sports team), a total of 13 competitors on Team USA have connections to Wisconsin. Here's a look at who they all are, where they're from, and what events they're participating in.

Gallery Credit: Nick Cooper - TSM Duluth

Source: UPDATE: Blizzard, Winter Storm Warnings Remain, New Advisories Now In Effect