Early Wednesday morning, road conditions MN across much of Minnesota turned treacherous as the first significant snowstorm of the 2025–26 winter season swept the state. Snow and ice cover, mixed with reduced visibility and high winds, triggered dozens of accidents, highway closures, and a statewide travel advisory. If you plan to travel across Minnesota today or in the coming days, here’s the latest factual rundown.
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❄️ What’s happening now with road conditions MN
- The statewide law enforcement agency reported hundreds of vehicles off the road, numerous property-damage crashes, multiple jackknifed semi-trucks, spinouts, and injury-related crashes by early Wednesday morning.
- Most major roads in the Twin Cities metro area are partially covered with snow or ice, while many highways in northern and western Minnesota remain completely snow- or ice-covered.
- In west-central Minnesota, a “no-travel advisory” issued earlier has been lifted — but the region remains extremely slippery, and weather officials warn conditions could worsen again under blowing snow.
🚧 Where travel is most hazardous
Twin Cities & Metro Areas
During the Wednesday morning commute, many roads in the Twin Cities — including major arteries like Interstate 35W and Interstate 94 — were reported as snow- or ice-covered. Drivers are being urged to reduce speeds and use extra caution. Road conditions remain poor even after snowfall tapered off; blustery winds continue to blow snow around, yielding slippery or low-visibility conditions across several corridors.
Western and West-Central Minnesota
On Tuesday evening, authorities had issued a “no-travel advisory” for nearly all state and federal highways in west-central Minnesota — including key stretches of I-94 and Highway 10. While that advisory has since been lifted, troopers report that road surfaces remain slick, and travel remains risky — especially along stretches of I-94, where semis have jackknifed and multi-vehicle crashes occurred.
Northern Minnesota and Outlying Regions
Some parts of northern Minnesota saw snow accumulations as high as 5–8 inches, leading to completely snow-covered roads. Hidden ice beneath the snow, gusty winds, and blowing snow have further degraded visibility and traction. Even as snow tapers off, colder temperatures will leave many roads slick throughout Wednesday, making travel risky for a large portion of the state.
🛑 What authorities are advising
- Slow down — reduced speeds are crucial on snow- or ice-covered roads.
- Plan extra time — traffic is moving slowly, and clogged, icy stretches have caused multi-vehicle collisions and semis to jackknife.
- Stay alert for updates — check the official travel update system (511mn) for changing road conditions, closures, or new advisories.
- Avoid travel unless necessary — especially in west-central Minnesota, where the recent no-travel advisory reflects recurring hazards from slippery roads and blowing snow.
📅 Timeline of Recent Developments
| Date / Time (approx.) | Update / Event |
|---|---|
| Nov 25, 2025, evening | Snow begins falling across multiple regions; authorities issue no-travel advisory for west-central Minnesota. |
| Early Nov 26, 2025 (4–7 a.m.) | Snow continues through the night; by dawn many roads in metro and northern Minnesota are snow- or ice-covered; visibility drops due to blowing snow. |
| As of 6 a.m. | State patrol reports hundreds of vehicles off the road, multiple crashes and jackknifed semis. |
| Late morning onward | Snow expected to taper off, but gusty winds will persist; many roads remain hazardous with compacted snow or ice layers. |
🌨 Why conditions are so dangerous
Multiple factors combine to worsen road conditions MN right now:
- Rain followed by rapid temperature drop — freezing road surfaces after rainfall creates slick, icy patches.
- Heavy, accumulating snow — certain areas saw up to 8 inches, leading to snow-covered highways and reduced traction for vehicles.
- Blowing snow and gusty winds — even after snowfall ends, wind-driven snow can reduce visibility and create drifting snow, blowing over cleared surfaces.
- High traffic volume — this period coincides with pre-holiday travel, increasing the risk that slick patches lead to collisions or jackknifed trucks.
✅ What travelers should do
If you absolutely must drive today or in the near future:
- Use snow/ice-rated tires, reduce speed, maintain extra following distance, and turn on headlights.
- Check the latest updates on 511mn before you depart.
- For long-distance travel through particularly hard-hit zones (western or northern Minnesota), consider postponing or using alternative routes if possible.
- During travel delays, be patient, give snowplows right of way, and avoid distractions — especially with embedded hazards like black ice or drifting snow.
It’s clear that road conditions MN remain hazardous in many parts of Minnesota — today, caution is more important than ever for anyone behind the wheel.
Stay safe out there, and share your own experiences or travel tips in the comments below.