Winter Storm Slams St. Paul; Gophers Women Earn No. 4 NCAA Seed

Winter Storm Disrupts Travel and Power

A powerful winter storm roared through the Upper Midwest over the weekend, dumping heavy snow across St. Paul and the Twin Cities and triggering blizzard warnings that stretched across the region.

By Monday morning, the storm’s impact was still being felt. Hundreds of thousands of customers across the Upper Midwest were without power as utility crews worked to restore service. Airports across the country reported widespread disruptions, with more than 5,000 flights canceled nationwide since Sunday.

Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport saw significant cancellations and delays as airlines reduced operations ahead of the heaviest snowfall. Travelers were urged to check flight statuses before heading to the airport.

On the ground, road conditions across the metro turned hazardous at times. Strong winds reduced visibility and caused drifting on major highways and local roads. Transportation officials asked residents to limit travel, use caution if venturing out, and stay tuned to local alerts while plows and emergency crews continued cleanup operations.

Although the snowfall has tapered off, lingering wind and icy patches are expected to keep conditions challenging into the early part of the week.

Gophers Women Head to NCAA Tournament

Amid the storm recovery, there was welcome news for Minnesota sports fans. The University of Minnesota women’s basketball team earned a No. 4 seed in the NCAA tournament, according to brackets released Sunday.

The strong placement follows a competitive season in the Big Ten and gives the Gophers a favorable opening-round matchup. Securing a top-four seed is a significant milestone, reflecting the team’s consistency and performance throughout the season.

The seeding also positions Minnesota for a potential deep run in March, with tournament play set to tip off later this week. Excitement is building across St. Paul and Minneapolis as fans prepare to rally behind the team.

After a weekend defined by snowplows and flight cancellations, the Gophers’ postseason berth offers a bright spot — and a reason for the community to shift its focus from winter weather to March basketball.

Sources

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/March_13%E2%80%9317%2C_2026_North_American_storm_complex
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2025%E2%80%9326_Minnesota_Golden_Gophers_women%27s_basketball_team