Minnesota Winter Storm: 7 Urgent Updates — Falling Tree Kills Man, Hundreds of Crashes & Travel Advisories

1 — Quick summary (News Updates:)

An early-season winter storm swept across Minnesota Tuesday night into Wednesday, dumping heavy, wet snow, producing high winds and causing treacherous travel just before the Thanksgiving holiday. The storm produced major snowfall in parts of northern and central Minnesota, gusts near 50+ mph in places, widespread travel advisories, power outages and numerous traffic incidents. MPR News+1

2 — Fatality in NE Minnesota

A 69-year-old man, identified in local reports as Brian Pelander, died after a large tree fell on him while he was clearing snow at his property in Alden Township northeast of Duluth. Authorities say the tree fell amid high winds and heavy, wet snow. The fatality was reported by local law enforcement and covered by regional outlets. If you are clearing snow or working near tall trees, exercise extreme caution during high-wind, heavy-wet snow events. https://www.northernnewsnow.com

3 — Snow totals and wind gusts (where it hit hardest)

• Duluth & surrounding areas: Several reports show around 10.3 inches in Duluth, Mahtowa and Holyoke, with other nearby locations reporting 8–10 inches. Coastal and central/north areas saw the heaviest totals. MPR News+1
• Wind: Gusts approached or exceeded 50 mph in parts of the Northland (Duluth airport reported very strong gusts), producing blowing and drifting snow and downed trees/power lines. The National Weather Service issued winter-storm and gale warnings for the region. National Weather Service+1

4 — Hundreds of crashes, jackknifes and spinouts — road impacts

State and local patrols responded to hundreds of crashes, spinouts and jackknifed semis during the storm as roads rapidly turned icy and snow-covered. Emergency agencies advised drivers to avoid non-essential travel while crews prioritized reopening interstates and clearing major corridors. Several counties issued temporary no-travel advisories during the worst of the storm. MPR News+1

Specific impacts included brief closures and major slowdowns on interstates (state troopers reported stretch closures at times) and many vehicles off the road; expect delays on I-94, I-29 corridors and other key routes earlier in the storm. Always check MnDOT / 511MN before driving. MPR News

5 — Flights, power outages & school closures

• Flights: Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport reported dozens of delayed or canceled flights as storm conditions and de-icing operations slowed air travel on one of the year’s busiest travel days. CBS News
• Power outages: Gusty winds and falling trees caused outages across affected counties; crews were dispatched to restore service once conditions allowed. (Check your local utility outage map for live status.) National Weather Service
• Schools: Dozens of school districts announced closures or delays for safety; parents should verify local district sites for schedules and e-learning notices. CBS News

6 — Where to check live road conditions & safety tips

Live resources (use before you go):

• 511 MN / MnDOT traffic map & cameras — live closure info, plow tracking and cameras.
• National Weather Service (Duluth office) — warnings, snowfall reports and local advisories. National Weather Service+1
• Local news live pages — MPR, CBS/WCCO, Fox21 and others for continuous updates. MPR News+1

Safety checklist if travel is necessary:

• Avoid travel unless essential.
• If stuck in a ditch or off-road: stay in your vehicle, run the engine sparingly for heat, and call 911 for location assistance.
• Carry winter emergency kit: blankets, water, phone charger, shovel, traction mats, flashlight and snacks.
• Leave extra travel time and reduce speed; watch for black ice and drifting snow.

Stay Safe During Minnesota Winter Storms

Residents are urged to take extra precautions during the ongoing Minnesota winter storm. Clearing snow carefully, avoiding unnecessary travel, and monitoring updates from the Minnesota State Patrol can prevent further accidents. Preparing emergency kits, checking on neighbors, and staying informed about Minnesota road conditions and power outages will help ensure safety until the storm fully passes.

Winter storms in Minnesota, like this one, demonstrate the importance of being ready for early-season snow, high winds, and icy conditions. Whether you are in Duluth, the Twin Cities, or rural northern areas, staying alert and following winter storm travel advisories can make a life-saving difference. As the state recovers, local authorities continue to clear roads, restore power, and update residents on school closures in Minnesota and Thanksgiving travel conditions.