Snow and Strong Winds May Complicate Minnesota’s Thanksgiving Travel

Thanksgiving Week Weather Update: Light Snow, Some Blowing Snow, and a Chilly Holiday Ahead

If you’re traveling for Thanksgiving this week, here’s what things are looking like based on the latest graphics from the National Weather Service in the Twin Cities and La Crosse.

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A quick-moving system will roll in on Tuesday and stick around into Wednesday morning. The National Weather Service in both La Crosse and the Twin Cities are now calling for rain to start the day Tuesday, before colder air pushes in and flips everything over to snow from west to east during the afternoon and evening. By Tuesday night, everyone should be over to all snow.

Some spots, especially central Minnesota, could see snow coming down fast at times, with rates over half an inch per hour possible. That’s enough to create quick, slick roads even if totals don’t end up huge.

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The higher-end snowfall map from NWS La Crosse still shows the best chance for a couple inches north of I-90, with Rochester sitting in that 1–2-inch range, and areas like Wabasha, Winona, Faribault, and the Twin Cities closer to 2–3 inches in the “max potential” scenario.

Blowing Snow and Slick Roads Possible Through Wednesday Morning

The bigger story may end up being the wind. Gusts are expected to ramp up late Tuesday into early Wednesday, possibly reaching 35 to 40 mph, which could easily create blowing snow and reduced visibility, especially in open or rural areas.

Winter Storm Watch Issued For Parts of Central Minnesota

The NWS Twin Cities has already issued a Winter Storm Watch for Todd, Douglas, Pope, and Stevens counties from Tuesday morning through late Tuesday night. Those areas could see 2 to 4 inches of snow along with those strong wind gusts, and both the morning and evening commutes on Tuesday could be impacted.

For the rest of southeast Minnesota and western Wisconsin, the probability map shows Rochester with about a 54% chance of picking up at least an inch of snow, with higher odds north of the metro and lower chances south toward Austin, Preston, and Decorah. It’s not a huge storm, but it’s enough to create some travel headaches, especially if you’re heading out Wednesday morning.

Temperatures Plunge Mid-Week Across Minnesota

And as this system moves through, temperatures are about to take a real nosedive. The NWS says highs will only reach the upper 20s to low 30s through mid-week, with overnight lows sliding into the teens and low 20s. That’s cold enough on its own, but the wind will make it feel even colder. Wind chills Thursday and Friday morning could dip into the single digits, or even near zero in spots, marking the coldest air we’ve felt so far this season.

The good news is Thanksgiving Day itself looks quiet. Once the system clears out, the holiday turns dry and calm. It will still be chilly, but no snow or rain is expected to interrupt the turkey, football, or family plans.

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