Winter Storm Iona Minneapolis: Blizzard Warning Expires Today as Historic Snowfall Totals Roll In

Winter Storm Iona's assault on Minneapolis and the Twin Cities is finally winding down this Monday morning, March 16, but the damage left behind is extraordinary. Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport recorded 7.3 inches of snow as of 7 a.m. Sunday, with the National Weather Service office in Chanhassen reporting 7.6 inches, while areas in Savage and Elko New Market saw more than 10 inches. Additional snowfall through Sunday night pushed totals even higher across the southern Twin Cities corridor.

Blizzard Warning Minneapolis — What Just Happened

A Blizzard Warning was in effect for Minneapolis, St. Paul, Hennepin, Ramsey, Anoka, Washington, Carver, Wright, Sherburne, Isanti, and Chisago counties through 4 a.m. CT Monday, March 16. The cities of Stillwater, Cambridge, Blaine, Chanhassen, Minneapolis, and St. Paul were all included in the warning zone.

Snowfall rates of 2 to 3 inches per hour hit during the storm's peak Saturday night and Sunday morning, with the heaviest snowfall concentrated in southern Minnesota and near the Twin Cities metro and into Wisconsin. The combination of extreme snowfall rates and winds gusting to 50 mph produced whiteout conditions that made travel not just difficult but life-threatening.

Winter Storm Iona Snowfall Totals — Minnesota By Region

Across much of southern and central Minnesota, including Dakota, Scott, Rice, Goodhue, Steele, Blue Earth, Nicollet, Brown, Waseca, Watonwan, Sibley, McLeod, and Meeker counties, snowfall totals reached among the highest recorded. Southern counties near the Iowa border took the hardest hit.

Estimated snowfall totals by region from Winter Storm Iona:

MnDOT Road Conditions — Travel Not Advised in Southern Minnesota

MnDOT confirmed whiteout conditions across Minnesota roads and said travel was not advised in southern Minnesota, including Dodge, Fillmore, Freeborn, Goodhue, Houston, Mower, Olmsted, Rice, Steele, Wabasha, and Winona counties. MnDOT closed Interstate 35 south of Albert Lea in coordination with Iowa, which shut down its portion of the interstate at the Minnesota border. Most Twin Cities roads were completely snow-covered, with snowplows unable to keep up with accumulation rates.

Up to four MnDOT snowplows ended up temporarily stuck and required assistance from other trucks during the storm's peak hours. "There were times there with the snow rate and snow visibility that it was really challenging," MnDOT spokesperson Mike Dougherty said. Drivers are urged to check 511mn.org before traveling on any Minnesota roadway today.

Minneapolis Schools Closed Monday — Snow Emergency in Effect

Minneapolis Public Schools declared Monday, March 16, a severe weather day. Pre-K through fifth grade will have no school, while middle and high school students will have an e-learning day.

Several Twin Cities communities declared snow emergencies over the weekend, meaning residents must move vehicles off city streets or face towing. Eden Prairie specifically directed residents not to park on city streets — even previously plowed streets — until noon Monday, March 16, because every street throughout the city will likely need to be plowed multiple times.

Delta Flight Status Minneapolis — Hundreds of Flights Still Canceled

MSP Airport has been one of the hardest-hit airports in the nation since Winter Storm Iona struck. Hundreds of flights were canceled at Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport Sunday, with 332 arriving flights canceled and 360 departing flights canceled. Only 125 arriving and 96 departing flights operated on time.

Delta Air Lines said it is gradually resuming operations at its Minneapolis-St. Paul hub as weather conditions begin to slowly improve, with flight operations being adjusted as crews work to safely resume operations amid lingering wind conditions. Regional airline SkyWest — which operates flights for United, Delta, American, and Alaska — canceled more than 430 flights across the Midwest, while Delta canceled 412 flights nationwide tied to the storm. Travelers are advised to check delta.com or their airline's app directly before heading to MSP today.

WCCO Weather and KARE 11 Minneapolis Forecast — What Comes Next

The blizzard warning has expired but conditions remain messy across the Minneapolis metro this morning. Strong wind gusts of 30 to 50 mph are creating ongoing visibility issues across the region, with Eden Prairie reporting visibility down to three-quarters of a mile during the storm's peak. The Twin Cities could still see an additional 6 to 10 inches of snow Sunday, with the heaviest totals tracking slightly south of Minneapolis.

By the time Winter Storm Iona fully winds down Monday evening, a widespread swath of 3 to 6 inches of snow will be likely from the Dakotas to the northern fringes of upstate New York, extending the storm's reach well beyond Minnesota. Follow WCCO weather, KARE 11, and KSTP for ongoing Minneapolis weather updates and school closing information throughout the day Monday.