A fast‑moving winter storm that swept across Minnesota this week forced dozens of school districts to cancel or delay the start of classes on Wednesday, as plows struggled to keep up with several inches of snow, gusty winds and slick roads during the morning commute.

Image Illustration. Photo by Gary Fultz on Unsplash

Snow totals from the Tuesday–Wednesday system ranged from about 3 to 8 inches across the state, with some of the heaviest bands north of Interstate 94, according to preliminary reports from the National Weather Service and local television meteorologists. Minnesota school closings and late starts were reported from the Twin Cities metro to greater Minnesota as transportation directors weighed deteriorating road conditions and limited visibility.

Heavy Snow, Gusty Winds and a Treacherous Commute

The storm arrived in Minnesota on Tuesday afternoon, laying down a steady swath of snow through the evening and into the early hours of Wednesday before tapering near daybreak in the Twin Cities. Meteorologists reported that areas north of Interstate 94 picked up 5 to 7 inches of snow, while many Twin Cities suburbs saw 4 to 5 inches. Official totals as of early Wednesday included 8 inches in Thief River Falls, 7 inches near Brainerd–Motley, 6.9 inches in Cambridge and 3.4 inches at Minneapolis–St. Paul International Airport.

By early Wednesday, forecasters and state officials were warning of a “messy” commute, with scattered spinouts and crashes reported on snow‑covered and partially treated roads. Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) plow crews were already in full operation before dawn but urged drivers to slow down and give plows extra room, especially on ramps, bridges and overpasses where ice tends to form first. Local media reported numerous incidents on major highways as drivers encountered slick stretches and reduced visibility.

Schools Weigh Safety and Logistics

Across Minnesota, superintendents and transportation directors began monitoring radar and road cameras Tuesday night, preparing for the possibility of schedule changes. By early Wednesday, that caution translated into a wave of decisions: some districts announced full closures, while others opted for two‑hour delays to give plows more time to clear bus routes and parking lots.

Local television stations and radio outlets reported “dozens” of districts on their school closing lists, including several in the Twin Cities metro and many more in outstate Minnesota, where higher snow totals and open country roads made travel especially hazardous during early morning darkness. School calendars typically allow for a limited number of weather days each year, but administrators say safety remains the overriding factor when calling off classes during significant winter storms.

An Active and Snowy Start to the Season

Although Minnesota is no stranger to winter storms, this system adds to what has already been a busy start to the 2025–26 cold season. The Twin Cities metro has seen accumulating snow or flurries on most days since late November, and recent storms have pushed seasonal totals in the Minneapolis–St. Paul area well above average for early December. As of Wednesday, the metro’s snowfall for the season was reported at roughly 14.6 inches—about 3.7 inches above the long‑term average for this point in December, and already about half of the total snow that fell during each of the last two relatively mild winters, when seasonal totals were just under 30 inches.

Historical climate data from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources show that the Twin Cities typically receive about 9 to 10 inches of snow in December and roughly 46 to 54 inches over an entire winter, depending on the averaging period used. The above‑average early‑season totals this year are part of a broader pattern of swings between lean‑snow winters and blockbuster seasons like 2022–23, when more than 90 inches fell near the Twin Cities airport, according to MnDOT’s statewide winter maintenance report.

Storms Strain Plow Budgets and Road Crews

For MnDOT and local public works departments, frequent snow events mean more overtime, higher salt usage and rising costs. In its most recent winter maintenance report, MnDOT said statewide snowfall during the 2024–25 season averaged 36.4 inches, up from 23.5 inches the year before, and the number of winter “events” jumped from 13.7 to 16.4. Total plowing and materials costs rose to about $121.6 million, roughly $4,012 per lane mile on average, driven by increased labor hours and higher salt prices.

Local public works officials say storms like this week’s are especially challenging because they hit during peak travel hours. Plow operators must work around buses, parents dropping off students and commuters, all while trying to push back snowbanks and treat intersections. In rural districts, even a few inches of snow combined with 30‑plus‑mile‑per‑hour gusts can quickly create drifting and white‑out conditions on open stretches of highway.

Climate Context: Fewer Big Storms, but Big Variability

This week’s storm hit as climate researchers continue to track how warming winters are reshaping snow patterns across the United States. A recent analysis by The Washington Post found that roughly 70 percent of the contiguous U.S. has seen below‑average snowfall over the past five winters, particularly in parts of the Midwest and East Coast, where warmer temperatures increasingly turn potential snowstorms into rain or mixed precipitation. The study attributes much of the shift to climate change and associated changes in the jet stream and storm tracks, even as certain regions—including parts of the Upper Midwest—still experience episodic years with very heavy snow.

Minnesota’s own climate record reflects that variability. DNR data show long‑term average seasonal snowfall in the Twin Cities has increased by nearly 8 inches when comparing the 1981–2010 climate “normal” to the longer‑term 120‑year average, underscoring how recent decades have included more frequent or larger snow events than much of the 20th century.

Students, Families and Teachers Adjust—Again

For families, the storm‑related closures and late starts brought a now‑familiar scramble to adjust schedules. Since the COVID‑19 pandemic, many districts have adopted e‑learning plans that allow for remote instruction on some snow days, reducing the need to add makeup days in June. But putting those plans into action often depends on timing: some districts need to call off school the night before to meet state notice requirements for a full e‑learning day, while early‑morning decisions may instead become traditional snow days or simple delays.

The Minnesota Department of Education allows districts to count up to five e‑learning days per year toward state instructional time requirements if they follow specific guidelines, including equitable access to technology and clear communication with families. Still, educators note that frequent disruptions—whether fully remote or not—can make it harder to maintain academic momentum as students head into winter testing periods and the end of the semester.

Outlook: Colder Air Settles In, More Snow Possible

With the storm now moving east toward Wisconsin and the Great Lakes, forecasters expect temperatures across Minnesota to tumble. Highs in the Twin Cities are forecast to fall into the teens by Thursday, with wind chills dipping well below zero over the weekend as a shot of Arctic air settles in. The National Weather Service and local meteorologists say additional light snow chances are possible later in the week and into next week, as an active storm track continues to send smaller systems across the northern Plains.

For Minnesota school districts, that means more early‑morning conference calls with transportation staff, more nights spent watching radar and more tough choices about whether buses can safely roll. For students, the sudden reprieve from classes may offer a chance to enjoy fresh snow—while reminding everyone that winter, with all its disruptions, has truly arrived.