Winter storm strikes the Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest with heavy snow
An ongoing winter storm brought heavy snow across the Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. Hazardous travel conditions have already led to multiple vehicle slide-offs in the Dakotas and Minnesota.
A late-season winter storm continues to affect the Northern Plains and the Upper Midwest on Wednesday, April 2, due to a surface-level low pressure system passing over the region.
Heavy snowfall began from the eastern Dakotas into northern Minnesota early on Wednesday, along and to the north of the surface low.
Snowfall totals of 10 to 20 cm (4 to 8 inches) are to be expected across the region, with locally higher totals. The heaviest snow is likely along the northern shore of Lake Superior.
Gusty winds mixed with heavy snow have created hazardous travel conditions across the region, with low visibility and icy roads. Multiple vehicles have already experienced slide-offs on roads in the Dakotas and Minnesota.
Winter storm warnings are in effect for parts of southeastern North Dakota, northeastern South Dakota, and northern Minnesota. Areas surrounding the warning region have been put under a Winter Weather Advisory. The snow is forecast to transition to sleet and possibly rain through Wednesday across the affected region.
According to the National Weather Service (NWS), there is a 30% chance of 0.2 cm (0.10 inch) of ice in lower Michigan. This could lead to tree damage and power outages across the region, along with dangerous travel conditions.
A wintry mix is forecast to hit the interior Northeast on Wednesday afternoon into Thursday, April 3, with significant icing being likely for New Hampshire and Maine.
References:
1 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – April 2, 2025
Feature image credit: South Dakota Highway Patrol
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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