Alert archive / Minnesota / Blizzard Warnings in 2026
Blizzard Warning 1, NWS Twin Cities, MN
NWS Twin Cities, MN issued this blizzard warning at Jan 18, 2026, 9:09 AM CST for Stevens County, Minnesota. It was in force for 12 hr. No storm report in the archive falls inside the area while it was in force.
The area
The counties it named.
The facts
- Issued
- Jan 18, 2026, 9:09 AM CST (15:09 UTC)
- Expired
- Jan 18, 2026, 9:00 PM CST
- In force
- 12 hr
- Issued by
- NWS Twin Cities, MN
County Stevens County, MN
The radar
The Aberdeen radar (KABR), 189 km from the middle of the area, began a volume at 15:09 UTC, the scan nearest the moment this went out.
Open the radar archive at this moment
The archived warnings, watches and discussions in force at that minute are drawn over the scan, this one among them.
The nearest sounding before it
Aberdeen, SD (KABR), launched 12:00Z, 3.2 hours before the alert went out and 203 km from the middle of its area. This is the routine balloon launch nearest before it, the air the forecaster had in hand, not a measurement taken for the alert.
- Mixed-layer CAPE
- 0 J/kg
- Mixed-layer CIN
- No buoyant parcel
- Mixed-layer LCL
- 829 m above ground
- 0-6 km bulk shear
- 80 kt
- 0-1 km storm-relative helicity
- 268 m²/s²
- 0-3 km storm-relative helicity
- 333 m²/s²
- Significant tornado parameter
- 0.0
- Supercell composite
- 0.0
The text
As transmitted.
392 WWUS43 KMPX 181509 WSWMPX URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 909 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...UPGRADE TO BLIZZARD WARNING IN STEVEN COUNTY... .Snow continues to move across the area with additional snowfall of an inch today. The main impact will be increasing winds later this morning into the afternoon. These winds with gusts up to 45 mph will blow around the recent snow and lead to widespread low visibility. The area of greatest concern is west central Minnesota where part of the advisory has been upgraded to a Blizzard Warning. In this region the winds will be visibility low for a prolonged period today. MNZ047-190300- /O.UPG.KMPX.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ /O.NEW.KMPX.BZ.W.0001.260118T1509Z-260119T0300Z/ Stevens- Including the cities of Morris 909 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...BLIZZARD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Stevens County. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... 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 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. && $$ MNZ041-042-048-049-054>058-064>067-073>076-082>085-091>093-190300- /O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ Douglas-Todd-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi- Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Redwood-Brown- Nicollet-Le Sueur-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin- Faribault-Freeborn- Including the cities of Mankato, Owatonna, Olivia, Waseca, St James, Redwood Falls, Le Sueur, Litchfield, Alexandria, St Peter, Long Prairie, Albert Lea, Montevideo, Fairmont, Hutchinson, Blue Earth, Madison, Granite Falls, New Ulm, St Cloud, Willmar, Benson, Glenwood, and Gaylord 909 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Visibility due to blowing snow under a half mile. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest, and west central Minnesota. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. && $$ MNZ043>045-050-190300- /O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton- Including the cities of Princeton, Sauk Rapids, Little Falls, and Mora 909 AM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow expected. Visibility due to blowing snow under a half mile. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Benton, Morrison, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs Counties. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. && $$ NDC
2 follow-up statements
555 WWUS43 KMPX 182031 WSWMPX URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 231 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...BLOWING SNOW CONTINUES THROUGH TONIGHT... .Snow continues to move across the area with additional snowfall under an inch. The main impact will be continue to be the high winds and blowing snow. These winds with gusts up to 45 mph will continue to blow around the recent snow and lead to widespread low visibility. The area of greatest concern is west central Minnesota where part of the advisory where a Blizzard Warning remains in effect. MNZ047-190300- /O.CON.KMPX.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ Stevens- Including the cities of Morris 231 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...BLIZZARD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Blizzard conditions. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Stevens County. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening. * IMPACTS...Whiteout conditions are expected and will make travel treacherous and potentially life-threatening. Plan on slippery road conditions. Widespread blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Travel should be restricted to emergencies only. If you must travel, have a winter survival kit with you. If you get stranded, stay with your vehicle. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. && $$ MNZ041-042-048-049-054>058-064>067-073>076-082>085-091>093-190300- /O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ Douglas-Todd-Pope-Stearns-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi- Meeker-Yellow Medicine-Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Redwood-Brown- Nicollet-Le Sueur-Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin- Faribault-Freeborn- Including the cities of Mankato, Owatonna, Olivia, Waseca, St James, Redwood Falls, Le Sueur, Litchfield, Alexandria, St Peter, Long Prairie, Albert Lea, Montevideo, Fairmont, Hutchinson, Blue Earth, Madison, Granite Falls, New Ulm, St Cloud, Willmar, Benson, Glenwood, and Gaylord 231 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Portions of central, south central, southwest, and west central Minnesota. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. && $$ MNZ043>045-050-190300- /O.CON.KMPX.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Benton- Including the cities of Princeton, Sauk Rapids, Little Falls, and Mora 231 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... * WHAT...Snow and blowing snow. Additional snow accumulations up to one inch. Winds gusting as high as 40 mph. * WHERE...Benton, Morrison, Kanabec, and Mille Lacs Counties. * WHEN...Until 9 PM CST this evening. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. && $$ NDC
704 WWUS43 KMPX 190239 WSWMPX URGENT - WINTER WEATHER MESSAGE National Weather Service Twin Cities/Chanhassen MN 839 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...BLOWING SNOW CONTINUES THROUGH TONIGHT... MNZ047-190345- /O.EXP.KMPX.BZ.W.0001.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ Stevens- Including the cities of Morris 839 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...BLIZZARD WARNING WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... The threat has ended, however patchy areas of reduced visibility from blowing snow will still be possible overnight. $$ MNZ041>045-048>050-054>058-064>067-073>076-190345- /O.EXP.KMPX.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-260119T0300Z/ Douglas-Todd-Morrison-Mille Lacs-Kanabec-Pope-Stearns-Benton-Lac Qui Parle-Swift-Chippewa-Kandiyohi-Meeker-Yellow Medicine- Renville-McLeod-Sibley-Redwood-Brown-Nicollet-Le Sueur- Including the cities of Le Sueur, Mora, Hutchinson, Gaylord, Little Falls, Granite Falls, St Cloud, Glenwood, Willmar, St Peter, Montevideo, Olivia, Long Prairie, Princeton, Sauk Rapids, Benson, Litchfield, Madison, Redwood Falls, Alexandria, and New Ulm 839 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY WILL EXPIRE AT 9 PM CST THIS EVENING... The threat has ended, however patchy areas of reduced visibility from blowing snow will still be possible overnight. $$ MNZ082>085-091>093-190600- /O.EXT.KMPX.WW.Y.0004.000000T0000Z-260119T0600Z/ Watonwan-Blue Earth-Waseca-Steele-Martin-Faribault-Freeborn- Including the cities of Albert Lea, Waseca, Mankato, Owatonna, Fairmont, St James, and Blue Earth 839 PM CST Sun Jan 18 2026 ...WINTER WEATHER ADVISORY NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL MIDNIGHT CST TONIGHT... * WHAT...Blowing snow and winds gusting as high as 45 mph. * WHERE...Blue Earth, Faribault, Freeborn, Martin, Steele, Waseca, and Watonwan Counties. * WHEN...Until midnight CST tonight. * IMPACTS...Plan on slippery road conditions. Areas of blowing snow could significantly reduce visibility. Gusty winds could bring down tree branches. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Slow down and use caution while traveling. Call 5 1 1 or visit 511mn.org for road conditions. && $$ Dunleavy
Nearby
Blizzard Warnings in Minnesota, 2026Every blizzard warning in 2026
Sources
The product and its follow-ups from the Iowa Environmental Mesonet's archive of National Weather Service and Storm Prediction Center text; the sounding from the Mesonet's radiosonde archive; radar from the NEXRAD Level II archive.