Storm Summary Number 2 for High Plains to Great Lakes Mid-March
Blizzard
NWS Weather Prediction Center College Park MD
1000 AM CDT Sun Mar 15 2026

...Blizzard expected this weekend with widespread major impacts
and record-breaking snowfall for portions of the Upper Midwest and
Great Lakes...

Blizzard Warnings are in effect for portions of South Dakota,
Nebraska, Minnesota, Iowa, Illinois, Wisconsin and the Upper
Peninsula of Michigan.

Winter Storm Warnings and Winter Weather Advisories are in effect
from the Northern Plains to Great Lakes.

For a detailed graphical depiction of the latest watches, warnings
and advisories, please see www.weather.gov

At 900 AM CDT...The low pressure center was beginning to
strengthen over the Midwest with a minimum central pressure of 989
mb (29.21 in Hg). National Weather Service doppler radar was
showing a swath of moderate to heavy snow continuing to overspread
over portions of South Dakota through Minnesota and Wisconsin.
Surface observations showed winds gusting between 20 and 40 mph
across Northern Plains through the Midwest.

...Selected preliminary Storm Total Snowfall in inches from 400 AM
CDT Sat Mar 14 through 900 AM CDT Sun Mar 15...

...MINNESOTA...
ZUMBRO FALLS                         20.0                    
MILLIVILLE 4 N                       17.0                    
PINE ISLAND                          16.0                    
ORONOCO 1 SSW                        14.0                    
ROCHESTER 2 NW                       13.0                    
APPLE VALLEY 2 N                     10.5                    
MSP AIRPORT                           7.3                    

...NORTH DAKOTA...
ALMONT 5 S                            4.5                    
DICKINSON                             3.5                    
BISMARCK 3 SSE                        1.8                    

...SOUTH DAKOTA...
LEAD                                 11.0                    
STURGIS                              10.5                    
SPEARFISH                            10.0                    
DWTN RAPID CITY 1 E                   4.8                    
FORT PIERRE                           4.0                    
HAYES 7 E                             4.0                    
PIERRE 1 ESE                          4.0                    

...WISCONSIN...
HUMBIRD                              21.0                    
WAUMANDEE                            20.0                    
WAUSAU                               19.3                    
NELSON                               19.0                    
PIGEON FALLS                         17.5                    
HOWARD 4WSW                           6.8                    

...Selected preliminary Storm Total Snowfall in inches where the
event has ended...

...MONTANA...
COOKE CITY  3 NNW                    23.0                    
GRASS MOUNTAIN                       22.0                    
LEWISTOWN 2 SE                       20.0                    
HELENA 7 SW                          15.0                    
THOMPSON FALLS 9.3 NW                14.0                    
BILLINGS 3 SSW                       11.5                    
MONTANA CITY 1 SE                     7.0                    


A swath of heavy snowfall is expected from the Upper Midwest and
into the Great Lakes. Snowfall rates between 1 and 3 inches per
hour are expected within the heaviest bands from Minnesota to
northern Michigan. Widespread snowfall totals of 1 to 3 feet are
expected, with locally higher amounts possible. The heavy snow
will combine with strong winds gusting up to 60 mph, producing
significant blowing and drifting snow and limited visibilities.
Travel will be very dangerous to impossible due to whiteout
conditions. Power outages and tree damage are likely. South of the
heaviest snow, a corridor of mixed precipitation and ice is
expected. Ice accumulations exceeding a quarter inch are possible
across northern portions of the lower Peninsula of Michigan.

The next Storm Summary will be issued by the Weather Prediction
Center at 1000 PM CDT. Please refer to your local National Weather
Service office for additional information on this event.

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