Blizzard Warning: Upper Midwest Braces for Whiteout Conditions, Dangerous Travel From Late Tuesday Into Wednesday

A fast-moving winter storm is racing across the Upper Midwest today (Tuesday, December 9), with a corridor of heavy snow and wind gusts strong enough to produce blizzard conditions in spots. Forecast offices signaled that the most hazardous window runs from late afternoon through early Wednesday, when falling and blowing snow could reduce visibility to near zero and make travel difficult or impossible on open stretches of highway.

Where a blizzard warning is most likely today

Guidance early Tuesday highlighted highest blizzard potential from eastern North Dakota into northwest and north-central Minnesota, then eastward into parts of northern Wisconsin. Farther south—across central Wisconsin and portions of Iowa—the setup still points to hazardous conditions: heavy snow bands, bursts of 40–55 mph wind gusts, and periods of near-whiteout visibility, even if some counties remain under winter storm warnings rather than formal blizzard warnings. The dividing line hinges on how quickly the storm’s strongest winds overlap with the heaviest snowfall and the depth of existing powder available for lofting.

Timing snapshot (local time):

• Dakotas & northwest Minnesota: Peak impacts late afternoon through around midnight, lingering blowing/drifting toward daybreak.

• Central/northern Minnesota into northern Wisconsin: Evening into pre-dawn Wednesday for the worst combination of wind and heavy snow.

• Central Iowa to central Wisconsin: Hazardous travel during the evening/overnight with embedded whiteouts in open country and along north–south routes.

Recent updates emphasize a “boom-or-bust” snow gradient across Minnesota, with sharp differences over short distances; where heavier bands set up, 6–10 inches are possible, tapering to lighter totals south and east. In Wisconsin, several inches are likely across the warned area, with local amounts pushing past 8 inches where banding persists.

What a blizzard warning means—and why totals aren’t everything

A blizzard warning is about visibility and wind duration, not snowfall totals alone. The criteria: sustained winds or frequent gusts of 35 mph or higher, combined with falling and/or blowing snow that reduces visibility to ¼ mile or less for at least three hours. Temperatures don’t have to be extreme to meet the standard, and even modest new snowfall can generate blizzard conditions if powdery snow is on the ground and winds are strong.

That’s why today’s setup is high risk: a tight pressure gradient on the storm’s backside will drive widespread 40–55 mph gusts across open terrain, lofting powder into ground blizzards long after the heaviest flakes end.

Travel impacts under the blizzard warning

• Rapidly deteriorating visibility: Whiteouts can arrive abruptly in squalls or behind plow convoys. Expect near-zero visibility on exposed stretches of I-29, I-94, US-2, and other prairie corridors.

• Drifting and road closures: Crosswinds will pile deep drifts in cutbanks and on east–west roads. Some rural routes may become impassable overnight, with tow bans possible until winds ease.

• Power outages and cold: Strong gusts on snow-loaded limbs raise outage risk. Wind chills sink quickly behind the front, complicating any roadside emergencies.

• Air and rail: Blowing snow and crosswinds may trigger deicing delays, runway braking-action slowdowns, and intermittent suspensions on exposed lines.

If you must travel, keep your tank topped off, carry a winter kit (warm layers, blankets, high-calorie snacks, water, phone power bank, shovel/traction aid), and tell someone your route and ETA. If stranded, stay with your vehicle and run the engine intermittently with the exhaust pipe cleared of snow.

County-by-county signals to watch

• Eastern North Dakota & far northwest Minnesota: Highest odds of full blizzard criteria this evening, especially in open agricultural areas.

• North-central and northern Minnesota: Heavy snow bands plus 45–50 mph gusts could push multiple counties into brief or prolonged blizzard conditions tonight.

• Northern and central Wisconsin: A broad winter storm warning is in effect with pockets of near-blizzard conditions where banding overlaps the strongest winds; isolated upgrades remain possible.

• Central Iowa: Strong winds will create blowing snow and spot whiteouts in open country, particularly where lighter daytime accumulations remain powdery.

Labels (watch, warning, advisory) may shift through the day as forecasters reconcile wind timing, snow rates, and observations; plan for conditions, not just the headline.

What’s next after the blizzard warning period

By Wednesday morning, snow tapers from west to east, but blowing and drifting continues in open areas until winds gradually relax. Colder, drier air follows, setting up re-freeze and hardened drifts that narrow lanes and obscure shoulders. Cleanup will take longer on rural networks where ground blizzard effects persist.

Safety checklist for today and tonight

• Delay nonessential travel during the peak wind/snow overlap.

• Park off street where local ordinances require; plows need the full curb-to-curb width.

• Prepare for outages: charge devices, gather flashlights, and protect vulnerable pipes.

• Clear vents safely: furnace and dryer exhausts can plug with wind-whipped snow.

• School & schedule changes: expect early dismissals or Wednesday delays where drifts and wind chills linger.

 blizzard warning

A compact but potent storm will deliver periods of true blizzard conditions across parts of the Dakotas, Minnesota, and Wisconsin late today into early Wednesday, with dangerous travel during the evening and overnight hours. Even where a formal blizzard warning isn’t posted, near-whiteout bursts and ground blizzards can create life-threatening conditions. Adjust plans now and monitor local alerts through the night as headlines and impacts evolve.