Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are unfolding across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on April 2, 2026, as a low-pressure system tracks northeast. A second winter storm is forecast to intensify from April 3–4, worsening the ongoing hazardous travel and increasing the risk of power outages across the Great Lakes region.
Satellite image of the northern USA at 10:30 UTC on April 2, 2026. NOAA/GOES-19, Zoom Earth, The Watchers
A winter storm is ongoing across the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest on April 2, as a surface low-pressure system moves northeast from the Central Plains toward the Great Lakes, producing a broad area of mixed precipitation and severe weather.
Heavy snow, sleet, and freezing rain are affecting areas north of the low track, while severe thunderstorms are developing farther south across the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley.
Snow is developing across eastern North Dakota and northern Minnesota, with snowfall rates reaching up to 2.5 cm (1 inch) per hour at times. Total accumulations of 7.5–15 cm (3–6 inches) are expected, with localized higher amounts exceeding 15 cm (6 inches), resulting in reduced visibility and snow-covered roads.
Image credit: NWS/WPCSleet and freezing rain are creating more significant impacts across southern Minnesota, central Wisconsin, and northern Michigan. Sleet accumulations exceeding 1.3 cm (0.5 inches) are possible, while ice accretion from freezing rain is forecast at 2.5–6.4 mm (0.1–0.25 inches), with localized amounts approaching 12.7 mm (0.5 inches).
These conditions are expected to produce treacherous travel, tree damage, and scattered power outages, particularly where the heaviest icing develops.
Image credit: NWS/WPCA second winter storm is forecast to develop over the Northern Rockies and move into the Northern Plains beginning April 3, reinforcing and extending impacts across the same region.
This system is forecast to produce heavier snowfall rates of 2.5–5 cm (1–2 inches) per hour, with the heaviest snowfall shifting into northern Minnesota Friday night and continuing into April 4.
Image credit: NWS/WPCThe second system will prolong the hazardous conditions, particularly in areas already affected by ice accumulation from the first storm.
Additional freezing rain is forecast from South Dakota into Wisconsin and northern Michigan, increasing the likelihood of further tree damage and power outages due to cumulative ice loading on infrastructure.
Hazardous travel conditions are expected to persist across major transportation corridors throughout the Northern Plains and Upper Midwest, with reduced visibility, snow-covered roads, and ice accumulation contributing to dangerous driving conditions through April 4.
Image credit: NWS/WPCIn addition to winter weather hazards, severe thunderstorms are forecast across the Upper and Middle Mississippi Valley on April 2–3, with an Enhanced Risk (level 3/5) in place. These storms may produce damaging winds, large hail, and a few tornadoes, adding a secondary hazard component to the overall system.
The back-to-back nature of these systems increases the overall impact potential, as the second storm arrives before recovery from the first is possible. This pattern reflects transitional-season dynamics, where strong temperature gradients support both winter precipitation and convective activity across adjacent regions.
References:
1 Short Range Forecast Discussion – NWS/WPC – April 2, 2026.
Author profile
Rishav Kothari
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.