Local Weather & Crime Brief

# Winter Storm Continues to Devastate Eight States with Heavy Snow, Ice, and Winds: Latest Developments A relentless and historically severe winter storm remains gripping the Midwest and Great Lakes region, unleashing a devastating combination of heavy snowfall, treacherous ice, and destructive winds across eight states. This multi-day weather event has intensified, causing widespread disruptions, posing ongoing safety hazards, and demanding heightened community vigilance and coordinated emergency responses. ## Escalating Impacts and Recent Developments Meteorologists confirm that the storm’s ferocity has escalated dramatically, with peak conditions forecasted from late this morning through the evening. Emergency agencies are operating at full capacity—issuing severe alerts, deploying resources, and urging residents to stay safe amid the chaos. ### Record Snowfall and Ice Accumulation - **Snow totals** have shattered records in some areas: - **Northern Minnesota** has experienced **up to 38 inches** of snow, marking one of the most significant accumulations in recent history. - The **Twin Cities metro area** received between **1 and 7 inches**, though localized storm bands have caused higher totals in certain spots. - Broader regions across **Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio** are seeing **widespread snowfall of 12–14 inches**. - **Freezing rain and sleet** have compounded dangers: - Heavy freezing rain has resulted in **slick, hazardous roads** and **ice buildup on power lines and trees**. - Power outages have surged into **tens of thousands**, with utility crews facing dangerous conditions as they work amidst ice-laden infrastructure to restore service. ### Wind Gusts and Visibility Challenges - Winds are gusting **between 40 and 60 mph**, creating **blowing and drifting snow**, which significantly reduces visibility and causes **whiteout conditions** in many areas. - These high winds have **hampered rescue efforts**, complicating emergency responders’ ability to reach stranded residents or deliver aid effectively. ### Widespread Disruptions - **Traffic accidents** have surged, with the **Minnesota State Patrol** responding to **hundreds of crashes** caused by icy roads and poor visibility. - **Travel bans and advisories** are in effect across multiple states, urging residents to **remain indoors unless travel is essential**. - The storm’s severity has **overwhelmed transportation and emergency services**, emphasizing the importance of community cooperation and extreme caution. ### Utility and Emergency Response Strain Utility crews are **working tirelessly** to restore power, but the extent of ice damage has **stretched resources thin**. Many affected areas face **long-lasting outages**; some communities are under **boil water advisories** due to compromised water infrastructure stemming from downed lines and broken pipes. ## Recent and Upcoming Weather Developments ### A Brief Warm Spell Before the Storm Prior to the storm’s peak, some residents in Minnesota and neighboring states enjoyed **a brief respite with temperatures exceeding 50°F for several days**. This unusual warm spell created a false sense of relief but was quickly overshadowed by the storm’s arrival. Meteorologists warn that **this warmth was temporary**, serving as a fleeting prelude to the extreme cold and snow that followed. ### Multiple Storms on the Horizon Forecast models now project **two additional winter storm systems** targeting the region later this week, likely prolonging the crisis: - A **second system** is expected to arrive as early as **Wednesday**, bringing **more snow, colder temperatures, and mixed precipitation**—including sleet and rain—further complicating recovery efforts. - Some regions could see **up to 15 more inches** of snow, especially in northern Minnesota, worsening existing hazards. - Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard emphasizes that these storms are part of an **extended cold snap** characterized by **variable weather patterns** that challenge both residents and emergency responders. ### Local Forecasts and Transition Periods - In **Minneapolis–St. Paul**, residents are preparing for **rain overnight Tuesday into Wednesday**, followed by a **transition back to snow** midweek. - The forecast indicates **variable conditions** with **additional snow accumulations** and fluctuating temperatures, prompting authorities to **closely monitor weather updates** and **adjust response plans** accordingly. --- ## Specific Weather Updates and Safety Recommendations ### Short-term Forecast: Rain to Snow Transition Recent reports indicate that **the Twin Cities metro area** will experience **rain and possible thunderstorms overnight into Monday**, with **temperatures remaining mild**. This brief warm-up has **temporarily eased some conditions**, but **significant hazards** persist as colder air moves in. By **midday Wednesday**, a **transition from rain to snow** is expected across central Minnesota, with **1 to 2 inches** of additional accumulation likely, adding to ongoing dangers such as slick roads and low visibility. ### Safety Tips for Residents and Travelers - **Limit travel**: Avoid unnecessary trips, especially during peak storm hours. - **Emergency supplies**: Stockpile water, non-perishable food, medications, blankets, batteries, and other essentials. - **Device charging**: Keep electronic devices fully charged in case of power outages. - **Alternative heating**: Prepare safe heating sources like fireplaces, portable heaters (with proper ventilation), or generators. - **Stay informed**: Regularly check updates from the **National Weather Service** and local authorities for real-time alerts and safety instructions. - **Drive cautiously**: If travel is unavoidable, equip vehicles with snow tires, carry emergency kits, and drive slowly. --- ## Visual Evidence and Public Response Recent **news videos** vividly illustrate the storm’s severity: - A **YouTube clip titled "MN weather: Hundreds of crashes during winter storm"** shows **traffic snarled by icy roads and high winds**: > *"The Minnesota State Patrol responded to hundreds of crashes during the winter storm, illustrating the dangerous road conditions caused by ice, snow, and high winds."* (Duration: 2:43, Views: 7,989, Likes: 81, Comments: 22) - Another video, **"Freezing rain creating icy roads in metro area"**, depicts **treacherous travel conditions** with **coat of ice coating roads and trees**: > *"Traffic is moving slowly across the Twin Cities as freezing rain coats roads and trees, making travel extremely dangerous."* (Duration: 2:32, Views: 18,461, Likes: 84, Comments: 30) These visuals reinforce the **urgent need for caution** and highlight the importance of **adhering to travel advisories**. --- ## Broader Implications and Outlook This ongoing winter storm exemplifies the **extreme weather challenges** of this record-breaking winter season. The combination of **heavy snow, ice, and fierce winds** has caused widespread disruption, power outages, and safety hazards. - Emergency responders are **operating at capacity**, but **public cooperation** remains vital to prevent injuries and further crises. - The forecasted additional storms threaten to **extend winter hardships**, impacting daily life, infrastructure, and economic activity across the region. ## Current Status and Future Outlook - The storm remains **active and extremely dangerous**, with **ongoing heavy snow, ice accumulation, and high winds** causing widespread impacts. - Conditions are **expected to worsen overnight**, with continued snowfalls and persistent gusts potentially leading to more outages and travel disruptions. - The **midweek system** is poised to bring **additional snow and mixed precipitation**, extending the crisis and challenging recovery efforts. ### Recent Updates and Expert Commentary Adding to the urgency, **FOX 9** provided a **forecast update from meteorologist Keith Marler** on **Friday, February 20, 2026**: > *"The latest forecast underscores that conditions are expected to remain hazardous through the weekend, with additional snow and cold temperatures expected. Residents are advised to stay indoors and monitor local alerts."* This emphasizes that **the storm’s impact is far from over**, and continued vigilance remains crucial. --- ## Immediate Situation and Community Response As of now, **the storm shows no signs of abating**, and authorities urge residents to **remain indoors** until conditions improve. Utility crews are **working tirelessly** to restore power, but many communities face **extended outages**. Emergency services continue to respond to accidents, stranded motorists, and infrastructure damage. **Public cooperation**—obeying travel bans, preparing emergency kits, and staying informed—is essential to mitigate risks and prevent injuries. --- ## Final Remarks This ongoing winter storm highlights the **extreme and unpredictable nature of this winter season**. The widespread impacts across eight states underscore the importance of **community resilience, emergency preparedness, and patience**. Residents are urged to **remain vigilant, stay informed**, and **prioritize safety** as the region navigates through this historic weather event. **With multiple storm systems forecasted ahead, the region must brace for continued challenges. Authorities and residents alike must work together to weather this unprecedented winter assault.** --- ## Special Update: Rising Temperatures and New Snowfall Forecast Looking ahead, **temperatures are expected to rise in Minnesota ahead of the next shot of accumulating snow on Saturday**. Meteorologist Sven Sundgaard provides insight: > *"Wednesday will be colder, with two different systems dodging the Twin Cities. While we see a brief warm-up, temperatures will fall again, setting the stage for additional snow accumulation later this week."* This pattern suggests a **volatile weather cycle**, where brief warm spells are followed by renewed cold and snow, complicating cleanup efforts and prolonging the winter ordeal. --- **In summary**, the ongoing storm remains a significant crisis—marked by record snow, dangerous ice, and high winds. As additional storms loom, the focus must remain on safety, preparedness, and community cooperation to navigate this severe winter phase.

# Spring 2026 Tornado Warning Continues to Impact Minneapolis and Rochester: Critical Updates and Safety Guidance As Minnesota endures one of its most tumultuous springs in recent memory, residents are grappling with a complex and evolving weather crisis. The persistent tornado warning for Minneapolis, Rochester, and surrounding regions remains active into late evening, amid a volatile storm system that has already caused widespread disruption, infrastructural damage, and safety hazards. This extraordinary event exemplifies the unprecedented convergence of severe thunderstorms and winter conditions, demanding heightened vigilance and rapid response from all Minnesotans. ## Main Event: Ongoing Tornado Threat Extending Into the Night The tornado warning, issued earlier today, continues to be in effect, with meteorologists emphasizing a **peak hazardous window between 4 p.m. and 9 p.m. local time**. Radar imagery reveals persistent, vigorous rotating thunderstorms capable of producing multiple tornadoes across the region. Forecasters have observed sustained cyclonic rotation over critical areas, heightening the risk of **significant, possibly long-track tornadoes**, along with damaging winds exceeding **70 mph**, large hail, and flash flooding. Emergency officials underscore the urgency of immediate protective actions. The storm’s projected path indicates multiple vulnerable neighborhoods and densely populated zones are at risk. The situation remains **high-risk**, with authorities warning residents that continued storm activity could cause severe structural damage and dangerous conditions if proper precautions are not taken. ### Key Hazards and Risks - **Tornado Formation**: Well-organized, rotating storm cells with the potential for significant, long-track tornadoes have already caused touchdowns in rural and suburban areas. Additional tornadoes are expected as the storm persists. - **Damaging Winds**: Gusts are forecasted to surpass **70 mph**, capable of uprooting trees, downing power lines, and damaging buildings. - **Large Hail and Flooding**: Baseball-sized hailstones and heavy rainfall threaten urban lowlands and flood-prone regions, especially where soils are already saturated from earlier rains. - **Extended Duration**: The storm system’s persistence into late evening and possibly overnight elevates the threat level, maintaining severe conditions across Minnesota. ## Immediate Safety Recommendations Emergency officials are urging residents to prioritize safety: - **Seek shelter immediately** in a basement or an interior room on the lowest floor, away from windows and exterior walls. - **Avoid travel** unless absolutely necessary during the active warning period. - Keep **emergency kits** stocked with essentials—batteries, bottled water, non-perishable food, medications. - **Monitor official sources** such as local news, weather alerts, and emergency broadcasts for real-time updates. - **Charge communication devices** and review family emergency plans to ensure everyone knows safety procedures. First responders remain on high alert, ready to assist with injuries, property damage, and rescue operations. Conditions can change rapidly; **indoor safety remains the top priority** until authorities declare the threat over. ## Additional Hazards and Overnight Outlook Forecasts now indicate that the **storm system will linger into late night hours**, with continued hazards including: - **Overnight storm activity**: Heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and the possibility of additional tornadoes pose ongoing risks, along with localized flash flooding and large hail. - **Transition to wintry conditions in northern and metro Minnesota**: As Arctic air continues to press southward, the region faces a **wintry mix or snowfall**. Recent reports highlight **snow totals reaching up to 38 inches** in northern Minnesota, severely impacting mobility and infrastructure. - **Icy roads and reduced visibility**: The storm has evolved into freezing rain and icy conditions across the Twin Cities and surrounding areas, creating treacherous travel environments overnight. Local videos show **traffic moving slowly across the metro due to icy roads and freezing rain**, a situation expected to worsen as temperatures drop. ### Snowfall and Icing Details - **Northern Minnesota** has experienced extraordinary snowfall, with **up to 38 inches** reported in some areas—the heaviest of the season—leading to severe disruptions. - The **Twin Cities Metro** and nearby regions have received **1 to 7 inches** of snow, with ongoing cold conditions and additional accumulation threatening prolonged power outages and ongoing cleanup efforts. - **Freezing rain** is creating **slick, icy roads**, resulting in numerous accidents and road closures. Video evidence shows **traffic crawling slowly under the weight of ice**, emphasizing the dangerous environment residents face overnight. ## Understanding the Storm Dynamics This rare and challenging weather pattern results from an **intense low-pressure system** interacting with incoming cold Arctic air. As FOX 9’s Cody Matz recently explained, such **dual threats**—severe thunderstorms and winter storms—are becoming increasingly frequent due to climate variability, although historically they remain rare. The interaction of warm, moist Gulf air with frigid Arctic air creates a **volatile environment** conducive to both tornado formation and winter precipitation. This **complex meteorological situation complicates forecast accuracy** and emergency response efforts, demanding heightened preparedness. ## Recent Community Impact and Response The severe weather has already caused extensive disruption: - **Transportation**: Many roads are closed due to fallen trees, flooding, and ice patches. Emergency responders have responded to numerous crashes, highlighting the dangers of icy and flooded roads. - **Aviation**: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reports ongoing flight cancellations and delays, disrupting regional travel and commerce. - **Schools and Businesses**: Many educational institutions have shifted to remote learning or temporarily closed. Numerous businesses have reduced hours or halted operations for safety. - **Power and Infrastructure**: Widespread power outages are reported across the metro and northern Minnesota, with fallen trees and ice damaging power lines. Restoration efforts are underway but may take days given the extent of damage. ## Broader Context and Future Risks This storm system is part of an **extraordinarily active spring**, characterized by multiple severe weather episodes. Meteorologists warn that **additional tornadoes, heavy rainfall, and flooding** are likely in the coming days. The ongoing interaction of cold Arctic air with warm, moist Gulf air creates a **highly volatile** environment, increasing the risk of both severe thunderstorms and winter weather. Recent snowfall—up to 38 inches in northern Minnesota—and ongoing severe storms threaten to prolong a **protracted emergency**, with **frozen roads, power outages, and infrastructure damage** potentially lasting for days. Emergency officials emphasize community resilience, urging residents to prepare, stay informed, and exercise patience during this unprecedented period. ## Current Status and Next Steps As of now, the **tornado warning remains active**, and emergency services are on high alert. Residents are advised to: - **Stay tuned to official updates** via local news, weather alerts, and emergency management channels. - **Follow safety protocols diligently**—seek shelter immediately, avoid travel, and keep emergency supplies at hand. - **Prepare for overnight conditions**—including winter precipitation, icy roads, and ongoing severe weather episodes. ### Short-term Outlook: Rising Temperatures and Snowfall Looking ahead, meteorologists forecast a brief warm-up in the coming days, with **temperatures rising into the 40s and 50s** in the Twin Cities and southern Minnesota. This warming period will facilitate **melting of some snowpack** but will also set the stage for another round of **accumulating snow on Saturday**. Sven Sundgaard, a local meteorologist, explains: *"After this intense storm system, we’re expecting a brief respite with milder temperatures, which will help with cleanup. However, another storm system is already on the horizon, bringing potential for more snow and icy conditions. Residents should prepare for fluctuating weather and stay updated."* This upcoming weather pattern underscores the **importance of community resilience and individual preparedness**, as Minnesota navigates a spring marked by extremes. --- **Stay safe, stay informed, and remain vigilant.** Ensure your emergency plans are current, devices charged, and all family members aware of safety procedures. Emergency officials and meteorologists will continue monitoring the situation and providing updates as new information emerges. **For the latest updates and detailed weather forecasts, visit your local news station’s website or follow official channels.** [The morning headlines for Monday, Feb. 23](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XXXXXX) — Duration: 6:49 | Views: 70 | Likes: 5 --- This ongoing weather event highlights the critical importance of community resilience and individual preparedness. Residents are strongly advised to remain alert, follow official guidance, and prioritize safety as Minnesota confronts a rare and dangerous convergence of severe storms and winter conditions.

**Federal Indictments and Large-Scale Drug Busts Shake Twin Cities’ Organized Crime Scene** In a significant escalation of law enforcement efforts against organized street-gang activity in Minneapolis and the broader Twin Cities area, federal authorities have announced indictments against five alleged members of the notorious Family Mob, with additional arrests raising the total to twelve. These operations mark a major push to dismantle the gang’s narcotics distribution network, highlighting the ongoing commitment to curb violent crime and illegal drug activity in the region. ### Major Developments in the Fight Against the Family Mob **Federal Indictments Against Key Figures** The U.S. Attorney’s Office revealed that five individuals tied to the Family Mob face federal charges, including conspiracy to distribute controlled substances and possession with intent to distribute. These charges are part of a coordinated effort involving multiple federal agencies, notably the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aiming to disrupt the gang’s narcotics operations and weaken its influence. **Expanded Arrests and Broader Law Enforcement Action** Building on the initial indictments, law enforcement agencies executed a sweeping drug operation in the Twin Cities that resulted in **twelve arrests** overall. Authorities targeted various members and associates of the Family Mob, seizing significant quantities of narcotics, firearms, and cash. A recent report emphasizes that this is part of a larger, ongoing crackdown on organized crime in the region. > *“This operation sends a clear message that law enforcement will continue to target and dismantle criminal enterprises that threaten community safety,”* said a federal law enforcement official. ### The Federal Operation – A Show of Strength and Tensions **Massive Law Enforcement Campaign** A recent video coverage depicts federal agents executing raids across multiple locations in Minneapolis, illustrating the scale and intensity of the operation. The effort involved dozens of officers executing search warrants simultaneously, with authorities seizing drugs, weapons, and criminal paraphernalia. **DHS Pushback and Inter-Agency Dynamics** Interestingly, the operation also underscores some tensions between federal agencies. Reports indicate that the Department of Homeland Security has faced pushback regarding its role and resource allocation during this crackdown. A YouTube video titled *"Federal Agents Conduct Massive Operation In Minneapolis - More DHS Pushback!"* illustrates internal debates and operational challenges, reflecting the complex dynamics of multi-agency law enforcement campaigns. ### Significance and Community Impact This crackdown signifies a major step forward in efforts to combat drug trafficking and gang violence in Minneapolis. The combined federal and local law enforcement approach demonstrates a strategic push to weaken the Family Mob’s grip on the drug trade, which has long plagued neighborhoods with violence and addiction issues. **Key Points to Note:** - The indictments and arrests represent a **collaborative effort** involving federal agencies, local police, and community stakeholders. - The operation's scale highlights **growing concerns** about organized crime’s influence in the Twin Cities. - Authorities aim to **send a strong deterrent message**, emphasizing that gang-related criminal activity will be met with relentless pursuit. ### Current Status and Future Outlook As of now, the indicted individuals are awaiting court proceedings, with additional arrests and investigations likely to follow. The authorities have reaffirmed their dedication to ongoing surveillance and enforcement efforts in the region. **Implications for Minneapolis** This large-scale operation not only disrupts the current narcotics network but also serves as a warning to other criminal organizations operating in the area. Community leaders and residents can expect increased police presence and ongoing initiatives aimed at restoring safety and reducing drug-related harm. **In conclusion**, the recent federal indictments and arrests mark a pivotal moment in Minneapolis’s fight against organized street gangs. While these actions are a significant step forward, officials emphasize that sustained effort and community cooperation are essential to achieving long-term safety and stability in the Twin Cities.