February 22, 2023

Minneapolis closes schools as city braces for massive winter storm

WATCH: Minnesota activates National Guard ahead of blizzard

By Daniel Amarante, Julia Jacobo, Emily Shapiro, Max Golembo & Melissa Griffin

A massive winter storm is wreaking havoc on a large swath of the country, cancelling more than 1,400 flights across the U.S. on Wednesday.

Here's what you need to know:

Midwest

In Minneapolis, residents are bracing for a potentially historic snowstorm. Minneapolis is forecast to get more than 17 inches of snow, which could be a top-five storm for the city.

Abbie Parr/AP

Vehicles drive in downtown Minneapolis as snow falls, Feb. 21, 2023.

Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP

Snow begins to fall around the Cathedral of Saint Paul, Feb. 21, 2023, at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, Minn.

Minneapolis Public Schools have moved to remote learning for the rest of the week.

"Plan ahead, drive safe, and limit travel," Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz tweeted.

David Joles/Star Tribune via AP

Snow plows move snow from I-35W southbound, seen from the 42nd St. Bridge, as the metro and much of the state prepares for a winter storm, Feb. 22, 2023 in Minneapolis.

Jeff Wheeler/Star Tribune via AP

A kid walks home from school in Minneapolis as snow falls from a winter storm hitting the Twin Cities, Feb. 21, 2023.

MORE: 7 things to know before driving in the snow

Minnesota has already seen up to 6 inches of snow from the first round of the storm. The snow will kick into high gear overnight, possibly bringing another foot of snow by Thursday morning.

Blizzard warnings are in effect in parts of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

By Wednesday night, a wintry mix of freezing rain and sleet will be falling from eastern Iowa to Milwaukee to Detroit.

Michigan and northern Wisconsin may see 1 foot of snow.

Southern Wisconsin could see up to half an inch of ice and more than 2 inches of sleet, which could make travel very dangerous.

The snow and ice forecast still to come this week.

Northeast

In the Northeast, the snow will get underway Wednesday night, with 7 to 12 inches expected in northern New York and much of Vermont. Snowfall rates could reach 1 to 2 inches per hour.

In the Berkshires and the Catskills, freezing rain and a wintry mix are expected Wednesday night, which could cause ice accumulation on the roads.

MORE: Will the Texas power grid survive the next deep freeze?

South

Meanwhile, record February heat is hitting the South.

New Orleans reached a whopping 83 degrees on Tuesday, making it the warmest Mardi Gras on record.

On Thursday, temperatures are forecast to jump to 89 degrees in Orlando, 81 degrees in Nashville and 82 degrees in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Extreme warmth is forecast in the South on Thursday.

West

Flagstaff, Arizona, has seen more than 3 inches of snow on Wednesday, with 8 more inches possible through the day. Winds are expected to reach 55 mph, creating dangerous whiteout conditions.

In Utah, residents are facing more than 2 feet of snow on the ground, with another 5 to 10 inches expected.

The Salt Lake Tribune via AP

Kai Benedict commutes to his job at the VA Hospital by skis following a snow storm that blanketed the Salt Lake Valley with snow, Feb. 22, 2023, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

And in California, after heavy rain slams the state on Friday, a blizzard warning will be in effect in Los Angeles County. Friday and Saturday's blizzard warning will be the first ever issued in LA County.

The highest elevations could see up to 7 feet of snow and winds gusting up to 75 mph. Some snow will reach lower elevations, too.