Minnesota braces for heavy snow and rain amid April storm system
- Heavy snow and rain hit Minnesota on April 1 and 2, 2025 due to an intense storm system.
- Further snowfall is expected in central and northern Minnesota, with the Twin Cities experiencing mixed precipitation.
- The severe weather has prompted school closures and traffic disruptions, with a potential shift to drier conditions by April 3.
On April 1, 2025, an intense storm system swept across Minnesota, bringing heavy snow and rain. The storm began early Tuesday, starting with clouds and dry conditions, but by 7 a.m., snow started falling in the southwestern region and progressed northeast towards the Twin Cities. This precipitation peaked between 9 a.m. and noon, with central Minnesota facing considerable snowfall until evening. Residents encountered difficult traveling conditions during the evening commute due to the snow. As the storm continued into April 2, central and northern Minnesota experienced additional snowfall, particularly impacting areas like St. Cloud and Willmar, which were forecasted to receive between 3 to 5 inches. Meanwhile, the northern part of the state could see accumulations of 5 to 8 inches or even as much as a foot in isolated locations such as Alexandria. While southern Minnesota was expected to receive less than an inch, the Twin Cities could experience both rain and snow due to a sharp precipitation divide. Schools across Minnesota announced closures or delayed openings on April 2 because of the adverse weather conditions. The morning commute was wet and slushy as the latest wave of snowfall affected travel. By late afternoon and evening, the storm was anticipated to bring more significant snowfall through central and northern Minnesota, potentially adding another 4 to 8 inches in certain areas. The storm system was expected to begin winding down overnight, with lighter snow and rain likely lingering into Wednesday. Looking ahead, the weather was forecasted to clear up in time for the Minnesota Twins' home opener on April 3. Despite the challenging weather conditions, temperatures were projected to remain in the mid-40s during the day, transitioning to cool evenings in the 30s. As the storm subsided, Minnesota residents could anticipate drier conditions with a slight chance of warmer temperatures next week, marking a gradual shift in weather patterns following this unique April event.