The winter storm that has been tracked and talked about for many days is now approaching the region, and while the exact track of the storm is still somewhat in question, there is more clarity as it gets closer.
One thing people in the impacted areas can expect is messy conditions with a combination of strong winds, mixed precipitation, creating icy conditions, and, ultimately, snow.
The risk of slick roadways and the possibility of downed trees and power lines are expected to create hazardous travel conditions. 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 see depends on their location. So, on Wednesday afternoon, the National Weather Service updated the following Winter Storm Warnings, along with a Blizzard Warning for the area that is expected to see the worst of it.
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National Weather Service Issues One Blizzard Warning
So far, there is a single Blizzard Warning, which includes the cities of Two Harbors, Silver Bay, and Grand Marais.
What: Blizzard conditions expected. Total snow accumulations between 16 and 24 inches. Easterly winds gusting as high as 60 mph.
Where: Southern Cook and Southern Lake Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Grand Portage Reservation.
When: From 9 PM on Wednesday, February 17, to noon CST on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening, especially along Highway 61 on the North Shore.
Additional Information: Expect terrain enhancement to snowfall totals and snowfall rates. The heaviest snowfall rates will be tonight and Wednesday morning.
People in the area are advised not to travel unless they must, due to emergencies. If you must travel, especially along Highway 61 on the North Shore, 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.
The National Weather Service also issued a series of Winter Storm Warnings affecting counties in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Travel in these areas is not recommended, but 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 #1
This warning includes the Duluth-Cloquet areas and cities up to Hibbing.
What: Heavy snow with light ice accumulations expected. Total snow accumulations between 4 and 8 inches except between 8 and 12 inches for the higher terrain northeast of Duluth. Ice accumulations up to one-tenth of an inch. Winds gusting as high as 55 mph.
Where: Carlton, South, and Central St. Louis Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Fond du Lac Band, the Bois Forte Band, and the Lake Vermilion area.
When: From 6 PM on Tuesday, February 17, to noon CST on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: The strong winds and weight of snow on tree limbs may down power lines and could cause sporadic power outages. Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.
Additional Information: The strongest winds are expected Tuesday evening through Wednesday morning from the east off Lake Superior. Near whiteout conditions are possible for a few hours late this evening through very early Wednesday morning as high snowfall rates could combine with those peak winds gusting to 55 mph.
Winter Storm Warning #2
This warning includes the cities of International Falls, Bigfork, and Ely.
What: Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 6 and 9 inches. 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: From 9 PM on Tuesday, February 17 to midnight CST on Wednesday.
Impacts: Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.
Winter Storm Warning #3
This warning is for Northern Cook and Lake Counties, including the city of Isabella.
What: Heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches except between 15 and 20 inches for the higher terrain of the North Shore. Winds gusting as high as 50 mph.
Where: Northern Cook and Lake County. This also includes the Boundary Waters eastern and central areas.
When: From 9 PM on Tuesday, February 17, to noon CST on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: Near whiteout conditions are possible as visibilities may drop to around 1/4 mile due to falling and blowing snow.
Additional Information: Expect terrain enhancement to snowfall totals and snowfall rates along the North Shore terrain ridge parts of central Lake County. The heaviest snowfall rates will be on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
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Winter Storm Warning #4
This warning includes the Wisconsin cities of Bayfield, Superior, and Washburn.
What: Heavy snow with light ice accumulations expected. Total snow accumulations of 5 to 8 inches for northern Douglas and Bayfield Counties, elsewhere between 2 and 4 inches of snow. Ice accumulations of around one-tenth of an inch are expected. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph.
Where: Bayfield and Douglas Counties. This includes the Tribal Lands of the Red Cliff Band. Other locations include the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.
When: From 9 PM on Tuesday, February 17, to noon CST on Thursday, February 19.
Impacts: Travel could be very difficult. The hazardous conditions could impact the Wednesday morning and evening commutes.
Additional Information: Light ice accumulations on surfaces are most likely on Tuesday night. The heaviest snowfall in the far northern parts of the Counties is expected late tonight through Wednesday midday.
Winter Storm Warning #5
This warning includes portions of north central and northwest Minnesota and
northeast North Dakota. It includes the cities of Cavalier, Devils Lake, Michigan City, Warren, Langdon, Thief River Falls, Red Lake, Lankin, Bemidji, Drayton, Grafton, Leeds, Grand Forks, Crookston, Baudette, Bagley, Fosston, Red Lake Falls, Cando, East Grand Forks, Middle River, Hallock, Newfolden, and Roseau.
What: Heavy mixed precipitation and areas of blowing snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 5 and 10 inches with locally higher amounts. Ice accumulations of a glaze. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph.
Where: Portions of north central and northwest Minnesota and northeast North Dakota.
When: From 6 PM on Tuesday, February 17, to midnight on Wednesday, February 18.
Impacts: Travel will be very difficult. Falling and blowing snow will lead to areas of quick and sudden reductions in visibility, making travel difficult, especially in rural areas that are prone to blowing snow. The hazardous conditions will impact the
Wednesday morning and evening commutes.
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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
Winter Storm, Blizzard Warnings In Minnesota, Wisconsin Cities
